UNIT 3: NATIONAL SERVICE AND SELF-RELIANCE
Key Unit Competence:
To be able to analyze and appreciate the importance of national service and selfreliance
in development.
Introductory activity 3
The youth, as adults, should contribute to the social transformation of Rwanda
towards its Vision 2020 – 2050. How can national service be an easy way to help
the Rwandans to achieve this goal?
3.1. Concept of national service
Learning Activity 3.1
By using internet and / or textbooks from your school library, explain the concept
of national service in Rwanda.
The term “national service” comes from the National Service (Armed Forces) Act
of 1939 enacted by the Parliament of the United Kingdom on September 3, 1939.
National service is a system either compulsory or voluntary government service or
usually military service. In this regard, national service is a system where citizens
(youth) people, upon completing a given level of education and meeting certain
conditions, offer their services to the state. They are also expected to serve their
nation with dignity, patriotism and pride. During this period, they are expected to
provide free and voluntary services to the state.
National service can also be defined as an organized activity in which people
serve the community in ways which contribute to social, economic and political
transformation at no financial rewards. Through this service, many young people
spend one or more years performing national duties in the army or in civil service.
This makes training compulsory.
In most countries, national service takes the form of rendering military service to the
state for a specific period upon completion of a given level of education. National
service is identified with programmes in which people volunteer for civil service.
The specific shape of the service is greatly influenced by socio-cultural variables of
the particular society in which it is implemented.
National service is crucial in the socio-economic and political development of
countries. It also fosters social cohesion and patriotism among the youth in a
country. The youth become self-reliant and cases of unemployment and drug abuse
are reduced.
Models of national service
Three models of national service have been adopted by world states. These are:
Compulsory service: this is where people of a given age, upon completing studies
at a given level, must offer services for a specific period to the state.
Voluntary service: this is where those providing their service to the state do so out
of their own will.
Blended service: this is a mixture between compulsory service and voluntary
service. People of a given age are mandated to provide their service. Others, not
falling into the compulsory categories but wish to provide their service to the state
are equally allowed.
Application Activities 3.1
Explain three models of national service which have been adopted by world
states.
3.2 Concept of self-reliance
Learning Activity 3.2
By using internet and / or textbooks from your school library, explain the concept
of self-reliancein Rwanda.
Self-reliance is defined as being independent, which means relying on one’s own
resources to satisfy ones’ needs. This implies the ability to do or make decisions
on our own. In most cases, the performance of the task is based on the individual’s
or state’s ability, powers and resources. This is done without help or support from
others.
Self-reliance arises out of the realization that we can put our resources and abilities
to use in an effort to satisfy our needs. It demands diligence, patience, sacrifice,
patriotism and commitment from the individual and the state. Self-reliance requires
a change in mentality and strengthening the commitment of participants towards
its implementation. People are empowered to undertake various responsibilities
having realized their needs. Such an approach is characterized by:
• Identification of peoples’ needs;
• Active participation of people in activities;
• Exchange of ideas, skills and values.
People and nations are expected to meet their needs in a sustainable manner. This
can be achieved through self-reliance. Social interaction and consensus building
are central to attaining self-reliance and giving people a duty to create a culture of
dialogue. Self-reliance pays attention to the socio-economic and political needs of
the people. It refers to the ability of people or states to:
• Achieve social cohesion;
• Enable social accountability;
• Mobilize resources;
• Build and maximize interpersonal capacity to address issues and take
initiatives;
• Access material and monetary assets;
• Manage materials and monetary assets.
Self-reliance encourages people to improve their living conditions using homegrown
initiatives and resources at their disposal. This concept is critical in spearheading
community development. It also discourages over-reliance on external assistance.
A nation’s development is propelled and sustained by internal resources. Selfreliance
is a strategy based on endogenous socio-economic engineering. Its
philosophy is improvement from within.
Application Activities 3.2
1. Complete the following statement: Self-reliance pays attention to the
socio-economic and political needs of the people and it refers to the ability
2. Explain how self-reliance encourages people to improve their living
conditions?
3.3 Provision of national service in Rwanda, Africa and the world
Learning Activity 3.3
1. Discuss how Rwandan people were handling their problems in traditional
society in different sectors such as defense, education, justice, local
governance, justice, health etc. and then proposes which methods from
Rwandan traditional society had been applied to our modern society.
2. Identify countries where national service is carried out in Africa and describe
what is common in the provision of national service in Africa.
3.3.1. Provision of national service in Rwanda
National Service - “UrugereroProgramme” is provided for in Article 48 of the
Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda of 2003 revised in 2015. Urugerero activities
actually started on January 17, 2013 and it was officially launched in Rwanda on
January 22, 2013 in Rwamagana, Eastern Province.
Urugerero is a form of national service aimed at developing programmers that
enhance growth in all sectors of the economy in Rwanda. The model is voluntary
to all youths aged between 16-30 years. Other categories of the population are
allowed to participate through voluntary service.
Their participation depends on their time, professional background and identified
priorities.
National service is crucial in the socio-economic and political development of
the country. It also fosters social cohesion and patriotism among the youth in the
country.
Priorities focused on during Urugerero are identified at least 3 months before the
date of commencement of mobilization and training of the participants.
In Rwanda, the adoption of national service was inspired by the concept of
volunteerism practiced in traditional Rwanda. Today, national service exists under
the term of Urugerero program. Through Urugerero activities, the youth are trained
and initiated to military trainings for physical fitness. Thereafter, they are sent into
their respective local communities to help in implementation on some national
policies like sensitization and mobilization against some diseases like malaria, etc.
The Urugereroprogramme aims at developing programmes that enhance the
current efforts put in place to accelerate growth in all sectors of the economy by
adding a formalized voluntary service component.
The rationale of the volunteerism policy is:
• Educate Rwandans on the culture of volunteerism through activities of
national development;
• Provide a framework where people are able to make effective use of
their special skills and access unexploited potential which is an additional
contribution to national development;
• Build satisfaction among volunteers for their role in volunteer work for
increasing national production skills development associated with the
volunteering activities.
• Provide an appropriate institutional framework for effective management,
coordination and use of existing and future volunteer activities and resources.
• Provide a mechanism through which volunteer services can be recorded and
accorded national recognition.
Urugerero is open to all Rwandan citizens, those living in the diaspora and nonnationals
who may desire to participate and provide service to the country. In
addition, university graduates who have previously participated in Urugerero are
permitted to participate again. Participants are drawn largely from their own local
communities and deployed to other areas.
The length of service for the compulsory category is usually 12 months. Out of
which 2 months is for training (Gutozwa), basic military training and training in the
specific domains of service during Urugerero. For the voluntary participants, the
length of time varies from individual to individual. Participants go through three
phases, for the compulsory category. The phases include mobilization and training,
placement and graduation.
The cost of the service is shared between the state and beneficiary institutions
or organizations. Activities of national service are coordinated by the Office of the
President through the former National Itorero Commission (NIC).
Urugerero aims at developing programmes, which enhance efforts put in place to
accelerate growth in all sectors of the economy. Participants undergo training related
to domains of service, civic education and basic military training. Upon completion
of training, participants are expected to implement what they learnt in the training.
The Intore, a person who has received the teachings from Itorero, engages in
activities such as awareness campaigns in development projects for HIV and AIDS,
gender balance, family planning, adult literacy and community work (Umuganda).
They also engage in environmental protection activities, construction of shelter for
vulnerable groups and support local leaders in
implementation of government policies. Throughout the programme, the students
are taught values and attitudes such as integrity, humility and patriotism. This
enables them to change their attitudes and contribute towards the development of
their country.
In Rwanda, national service is known today as volunteerism and practiced through
Urugerero. The term volunteerism is defined by International LabourOrganisation
as “unpaid, non-compulsory work, that is, the time individuals give without pay to
activities performed either through an organization directly for others outside their
own household.”
In Rwandan context, volunteerism is referred to as “Ubwitange” or
“Ubukorerabushake”, which literally means a “free will action”, performed out of
self-motivation and passion.
Adoption of national service was inspired by the concept of ubwitange (volunteerism)
that was practiced by Rwandans in building the country. This commitment led
ancient Rwanda to great achievements such as the expansion of the kingdom.
Volunteerism in Rwanda is currently exhibited through provision of services to
the community such as Umuganda, Ubudehe, Umusanzu (Communal self-help
activities based on solidarity), Abunzi, local government councils (Njyanama),
Gacaca judges, electoral commission agents, and community health workers
(abajyanamab’ubuzima) among others that do not involve any salary payment in
return and done out of free will for the purpose of benefiting the whole community.
There are voluntary interventions in various sectors which the Government of
Rwanda has used volunteerism in such sectors like local governance, justice,
health and electoral processes. This policy is aimed at providing guidance on the
management, rights, responsibilities and roles for both the volunteers and the
volunteering organizations.
3.3.2. Provision of national service in Africa and the world
a) National Service in Kenya
An Act of Parliament created the Kenya’s National Youth Service (NYS) in 1964.
The act mandated training and employment of the youth in service of the nation.
The NYS is a voluntary programme targeting the youth between 18-22 years of
age. At its inception, it aimed at creating a pool of trained, disciplined and organized
youth through training and participation in national socio-economic programmes.
Its primary roles had been nation building through volunteerism and service in the
military during a state of war or public emergency.
The programme collapsed due to inadequate financial sustenance and was
discontinued in 1989. The programme was relaunched in 2013 by President Uhuru
Kenyatta. This has enabled the country to reduce high rates of unemployment in
both the formal and informal sectors of the economy. In consultation with the Ministry
of Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs, the government of Kenya launched
a 5-point vision in which the youth learn and provide services to the nation. The
vision encompasses paramilitary training and service regulation, national service
and youth re-socialization, dam and road construction, slum civil works and traffic
control. The restructuring, rebranding and relaunching of the NYS was done to
ensure the youth are empowered and meet the set goals.
Membership is open to interested applicants all over the country. The recruits must
be medically and physically fit, unmarried and without dependents. They must
have a minimum of D+ grade in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education.
The youths are given a daily wage and expected to save 30% of their earnings
to execute economic development projects of their own and improve their living
standards. Upon completion of service, the recruits can take up free trade training
in various courses.
Being an institution for the youth, the NYS has adopted four broad strategies.
They include:
• Empowering the youth to engage in productive activities;
• Providing the youth with the necessary financial support and market linkages;
• Moulding the character of young people through training;
• Strengthening programmes which advance the health of the youth and their
wellbeing.
The service is funded through national budgetary allocations. It also gets revenue
from its commercial ventures in different parts of the country and to a limited extent,
external funding from various development partners. Some of the commercial
ventures include agriculture and infrastructural building including roads, bridges,
dams and irrigation canals.
The recruits have managed to improve sanitation and human dignity in the country’s
largest slums of Kibera and Mathare. The youth also engage in other activities
such as vector control in areas prone to tsetse flies and mosquitoes, construction
of access roads in informal settlements, dam construction and improving food
security. The service has considerable reach and spread. Its activities are carried
out both at its headquarters and at satellite stations across the country. Since April
2013, the recruits have participated in public works in different parts of the country.
b) National Service in South Africa
The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) was established in 2008.
Government departments, civil society organizations and NYDA itself run the
programmes. Some of the aims of NYDA are:
• Inculcating a culture of service by supporting the youth to participate in
constructive nation-building activities;
• Enabling the youth to understand their role in the promotion of civic awareness
and national reconstruction;
• Developing skills, knowledge and ability of young people to enable them
make a smooth transition to adulthood;
• Improving youth employment;
• Harnessing the nation’s untapped human resources to provide a vehicle for
enhancing the delivery of the country’s development objectives.
By 2013, the programme was voluntary, however, there are plans to make it
compulsory. The programme is open to young people who are out of school and
are below 35 years of age. However, some specific areas of the programme
demand that the beneficiaries be 25 years of age and above. Youth targeted in the
programme include the unemployed, those in conflict with the law and students in
higher institutions of learning. The participants must have completed Grade Ten.
Participants serve for various lengths of time. There are both below one year and
more than a year programmes. They involve volunteering in fields such as health
and social development, housing and community infrastructure, environment and
nature conservation, water and sanitation and education.
The NYDA activities are organized in three categories. The first category involves
unemployed, out-of-school and unskilled young people in a year of service. It
comprises accredited learning and skills development, community development
and exit opportunities. The second category involves high school and university
students. They participate in community service activities as they undertake their
studies. The last category is open to the young people and adults. They work in ad
hoc community volunteer opportunities.
Apart from NYDA, the National Rural Youth Service Corps (NARYSEC) was created
in 2010 by the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform to develop young
people in rural areas. It undertook a pilot programme in 2008 to 2011. As a result, the
Department of Environmental Affairs established the Youth Environmental Service
(YES), which was launched in 2013. This programme targets youth aged 18 to 35
years who have successfully completed Grade 12. Both the NYDA and NARYSEC
are voluntary. These programmes target the youth for national service enrolment.
The country also has a compulsory community service for health graduates. It was
established in the 1990s.
c) National Service in Israel
Israel’s model of national service is mandatory, where conscription into military
service is for all citizens over the age of 18 years. Exemptions are made on
religious, psychological and physical grounds. The Israeli Defense Forces Law
regulates the laws of service, duties and exemptions. The army educational corps
is greatly involved in teaching students History, and Geography as well as other
educational subjects. This is done to prepare them for military service once they
finish high school. The national military service in Israel is compulsory for both men
and women, where men serve for 3 years and women serve for less than 2 years.
Once one has completed military service, he or she is free to either continue serving
in the military or enroll for further education in a university or college. From the
military service, the youth are equipped with leadership skills, planning, teamwork
and analytical skills that provide a base for building a career later on in life. They
also train in basic military training, discipline, First Aid, physical fitness and chemical
and biological warfare.
Women who choose to pursue national service in terms of community work or those
who are married or have children are exempted from military service. This also
provides a substitute national service for religious girls. The programme arose due
to the reluctance of orthodox Jews to expose girls to military service and therefore,
there arose a need for the formation of a national service for girls. The Ministry of
Labour and Social Affairs runs the programme called SherutLeumi, whose literal
meaning is national service. The programme is now open to male and female
participants who are not serving in the army. They serve for a period of 1 or 2
years doing vocational work in schools, hospitals and nursing homes. They also
volunteer to work in areas regarding law, teens at risk, immigrant assistance, special
education, administration, geriatrics, environment, disadvantaged communities,
internal security and other related non-profit organizations.
Israel’s national civilian service is voluntary. It draws participants from high school
graduates. The beneficiaries are free to offer service in any part of the country.
Volunteers are also entitled to a host of benefits such as living in rented homes or
being given an allowance to rent a house, a stipend, transport allowance, bonus
at the end of service, grants and scholarships, reduced tuition and mortgage and
allocation of land for settlement.
Application Activities 3.3
1. Explain the contribution of volunteerism in Rwanda.
2. What are the objectives of volunteerism in Rwanda?
3. Identify four broad strategies adopted by the Kenya National Youth
Service.
4. Compare and contrast the model of national service in Rwanda and
Kenya.
5. What are the challenges faced by the Kenya National Youth Service?
3.4 Activities through which national service is carried out in
Rwanda
Learning Activity 3.4
1. Identify activities through which national service is carried out in Rwanda.
2. Examine the poverty reduction initiatives that have been established in
Rwanda.
National service is carried out through various activities. In Rwanda, communities
have made use of many tested ways. These have been utilized to help the country
develop all sectors of the economy. Since the pre-colonial era, Rwandans have
made tremendous developments through the spirit of volunteerism. Volunteerismand
volunteering are strongly embedded in the Rwandan culture. This is featured
through mutual aid, community service and self-help activities.
A volunteer activity is defined as a self-motivated action performed by an individual
or a group of individuals who contribute their time, skills, advice, talent and passion
to the provision of services for the benefit of the larger community, without expecting
a salary.
Very many Rwandan values and practices such as Ubutwari, Ubwitange and
Ubunyangamugayo that evolved during the pre-colonial period are of relevance to
the present societies. These practices can be harnessed to help build our modern
states. The government has re-introduced these values and practices thereby
promoting socio-political and economic progress in the whole nation. All able bodied
citizens, both old and young, should strive to participate in these activities.
The term volunteerism is referred to as Ubwitange, which translates as ‘free
will action’. It is often performed out of self-motivation and passion. The people
have undertaken various activities through mutual help such as Umuganda,
Gutangaumusanzu, GuhekaAbarwayi, Ubudehe, Abunzi and Abajyananab’ubuzima.
These activities bring together several families in providing community service. The
main activities include the following:3.4.1. Umuganda
Umuganda means coming together with a common purpose to achieve an outcome.
In traditional Rwandan society, members of the community would call upon their
family, friends and neighbours to help complete a hard task. The government
adopted Umuganda service as part of its vision 2020 development programme.
It has envisioned community service policy as being central in supplementing
the national budget utilized in the construction and repair of basic infrastructure.
Members of the community are expected to organize themselves in carrying out
these voluntary activities.
No pay is given for services rendered. Umuganda service is carried out every last
Saturday of the month in the whole country. Organization of Umuganda activities
is undertaken at council meetings. The activities are planned prior to actual
participation. Local leaders organize mobilization and sensitization of the local
communities. Once this has been done, people meet and plan a date, usually over
the weekend. Participation in Umuganda activities is compulsory for all able-bodied
citizens. Umuganda brings social cohesion among community members.
3.4.2. Ubudehe
Ubudehe is a policy rooted in Rwanda’s culture of mutual assistance. It involves
members of the community coming together to plan and implement antipoverty
measures. Through Ubudehe, members of the community in each village identify
poor families. They come up with strategies to help alleviate poverty in the identified
households. The government has identified economic categories to assist membersof the community who are in need of intervention.
Table 3: The categories of households in Rwanda
From the above table, the categories eligible for help under Ubudehe are the
first two categories 1 and 2. The Ubudehe categories are used equally in other
programmes meant to cushion vulnerable or disadvantaged groups from the effects
of poverty. They also benefit from mutual health insurance, school assistance and
basic entitlements under the national policy for orphans and vulnerable children.
3.4.3. Itorero and Ingando
During the pre-colonial era, Rwandans had sound systems and practices which
should be emulated. Itorero was a cultural school where Rwandans would learn
language, patriotism, social relations, sports, songs and defense. Itorero nurtured
and fostered the culture of volunteerism. It trained and inculcated in peoples’ minds
a set of values such as Indangagaciro and preached against taboos and vices such
as Kirazira. This enabled it to offer benchmarks upon which our value systems are
anchored.
The word Ingando comes from the word ‘Kugandika’ which means going to stay in a
place far from home, often in a group for a specific reason. Ingando traces its roots
to the pre-colonial era. This practice has been re-introduced by the government to
help in the reintegration of ex-combatants after the genocide against the Tutsi. The
concept and practice has been since expanded to include school age youths and
other groups.Today, the government has re-established Itorero to inspire positive
values among Rwandans and boost volunteerism. This has instilled a high sense of
patriotism, responsibility, selflessness and unity among the people.
3.4.4. Urugerero
Urugerero goes hand in hand with Ubukorerabushake. It is from the latter that
Urugerero is built. All able-bodied youth are thus expected to provide voluntary and
compulsory service to the state.
3.4.5. Ubukorerabushake (volunteering)
Development needs to begin at the community level. This makes Ubukorerabushake
vital in development of a community in various ways. It is embedded in Rwandan
values and practices, and has enabled us to develop our country. Community
leaders have been instrumental in mobilizing and sensitizing people to provide free
services to the community collectively. Communities have therefore, contributed
to the socio-political and economic development of Rwanda. Such efforts have
enabled our country to rise from the ashes of the post genocide era.
Application Activities 3.4
1. Assess the major strides that have been achieved through Umuganda.
2. Examine the challenges affecting the execution of Umuganda activities
in your district.
3. Discuss the benefits of Ubudehe realized in the country.
4. Discuss how Itorero and Ingando have helped create social cohesion,
peace and reconciliation in Rwanda.
5. Examine the benefits of Itorero and Ingando to the citizens of Rwanda.
3.5 Measures put in place to achieve self-reliance in Rwanda
Learning Activity 3.5
By using internet and / or textbooks from your school library, comment on different
measures put in place to achieve self-reliance in Rwanda.
Self-reliance is crucial in the socio-political and economic development of a country.
As individuals, we should support government efforts aimed at attaining these
crucial aims. The Rwandan government is keen to promote self-reliance in the
country. Towards this, it has come up with various measures. Some of these include
the following:
3.5.1. Sensitization of the community to the importance of selfreliance
Self-reliance has empowered communities to provide for themselves without relying
on external assistance. In an effort to achieve self-reliance, the government has
geared its efforts towards creating awareness of the importance of self-reliance.
This has been done through its inclusion in the curriculum and campaigns to raise
awareness to the population through publicity and advocacy measures.
3.5.2. Introduction of policies aimed at building inclusion and social
cohesion
The government has introduced policies geared towards building inclusion and
social cohesion in the population such as deepening the decentralization process,
citizen involvement and increasing local community empowerment.
3.5.3. Poverty reduction initiatives
The government has introduced policies to help address poverty in the country.
Partnership programmes have been initiated between the government and
development partners to help in poverty reduction. Many strategies and programmes
have thus been introduced to further alleviate poverty in the country such as Vision
2020 Umurenge Program (VUP), Ubudehe and Girinka.
3.5.4. Urugerero
Urugerero has changed the attitude of young people towards assisting thegovernment
in carrying out its development activities. This has enabled thecountry to reduce its
expenses to some extent. The money saved is used forother development activities.
3.5.5. Ubukorerabushake (volunteering)
Members of the community, guided by their leaders, have come up with solutions
to their problems. This is done with little or no assistance from the government and
other external partners.
3.5.6. Promotion of the culture of Ubutore
The government has gone out of its way to promote the culture of Ubutore among
the population. Through this culture, it has helped promote and entrench people’s
dignity. This has enabled leaders to promote cultural values among its citizens.
It has also been able to train Intore mentors and establish structures of the
same in government institutions and the population as a whole ‘IntoreNtiganya-
IshakaIbisubizo’.
3.5.7. Promotion of health insurance scheme
People can only be self-reliant if they are in good health. This is the reason behind
the government’s promotion of a health insurance scheme for its citizens. Various
strategies have been undertaken towards this goal, for example, the change of
government policy on health coverage. By 2013, over 90% of Rwandans had
benefitted from the Mutuelle de Santé health insurance policy. The same initiative
has over 45,000 health workers trained to reach out to the rural communities who
are in dire need of health services.
3.5.8. Establishment of the Agaciro Development Fund
The Agaciro Development Fund has been greatly instrumental in promoting selfreliance
among Rwandans. As a home-grown solution, many people have found it
useful in addressing their day to-day needs.
Through this initiative, the people of Rwanda help raise money for the fund annually.
Money raised through the Agaciro Development Fund helps the country to finance
some of its own development programmes. This minimizes the rate of government
borrowing from other countries.
3.5.9. Formation of cooperative societies
Cooperative societies are crucial in promoting a culture of self-reliance among
the people. Rwandans have formed these societies in various areas and different
parts of the country. The government has facilitated these initiatives by creating an
enabling environment for their formation and operation. People have pooled their
resources together hence enabling them to develop economically. People are able
to access finances through the cooperatives enabling them to make investments.
Application Activities 3.5
1. Discuss the challenges faced by Rwanda’ in its effort to promote selfreliance
in the country.
2. How can the government and the people of Rwanda overcome these
challenges?
3. Explain the policies established by the post-genocide government aimed
at building inclusion and social cohesion.
4. Assess the importance of sensitizing the community about self-reliance
5. Examine the poverty reduction initiatives that have been established in
Rwanda
3.6. End Unit Assessment 3
End of unit assessment
1. Explain the concepts of national service and self-reliance.
2. How has national service and self-reliance has helped improve the
socioeconomic development of Rwanda?
3. Describe the relationship between national service and self-reliance.
4. Explain activities through which national service is carried out in Rwanda.
5. Assess measures put in place in Rwanda to achieve self-reliance.6. Analyze the ability of Africans towards attaining self-reliance.