by Keza from Kigali asks Santa about a movie cast, learns about Rwanda’s thousand hills, and hears about the community spirit behind Umuganda
Dear Santa, my name is Keza and I am nine years old. I live in Kigali, Rwanda, where my nyogokuru says our whole country is called the land of a thousand hills, and she insists that number might actually be too small.
Dear Keza, I have flown over a great many of those hills myself, and I would not be surprised if your nyogokuru’s suspicion turns out to be correct.
Santa, I have three questions.
My first question is, who is in Christmas with Holly cast? My cousin loves that movie, but I honestly do not think you keep track of actors.
You are quite right, Keza, movie casting is well outside my usual duties. I am far more interested in the people gathered in your own home this Christmas than any name on a poster.
My second question is about our hills. My teacher says Rwanda is genuinely covered in hills nearly everywhere you look. Is that true?
It is, Keza. Rwanda’s landscape is famously hilly and mountainous nearly throughout the entire country, which makes flying over it each Christmas Eve a beautifully bumpy, scenic ride for the reindeer.
My third question is about Umuganda. Once a month, my whole neighborhood works together cleaning and building things for the community. Is that connected to the kindness of Christmas at all?
Umuganda is a wonderful Rwandan tradition of community service, Keza, neighbors working together regularly for the good of everyone, not just at Christmas but throughout the entire year. I think that same spirit, people choosing to help each other simply because it matters, is exactly the kind of everyday kindness Christmas hopes to inspire more of.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Keza Uwase
Kigali, Rwanda
P.S. Do the elves have their own version of Umuganda?
Every single day, Keza. The whole workshop runs on exactly that spirit.
