Who we are

“Inhingi iniwe ntigera inzu”
You cannot build a house alone
(Rwanda saying)




UMUDUFU is a voluntary association created by a group of friends who met each other in Rwanda where they had different experience.

UMUDUFU’s purpose is to promote peace, engender solidarity and consolidate human rights through the creation and setting up of health and educational projects, placing particular emphasis on the valorisation and development of local resources.

UMUDUFU loves Rwanda, its breath-taking landscapes, the broad smiles, the penetrating gazes of the kids, the affection and sincere welcome of these people characterized by dignity depth and of humanity.




The significance of UMUDUFU…

NOVELTY
Actually, the word UMUDUFU does not exist. We created it. To be honest the Rwandese people had created it for us.

UNION
We love to think that UMUDUFU is the union of the words “UMU-zungu” (white man) and “ibi-DUFU” (small spicy doughnuts made of manioc flour).

SIMPLICITY
Ibidifu is a very poor food that can be acquired in the small rural markets, like Cyeza or outside Churches on Sundays. It is a favourite with children and it only costs five Amafaranga (000.7€).

SHARING and FRIENDSHIP
“Ku wa gatanu, ku isoko, umudufu” - “Friday: market day, Umudufu day”, became a fixed date with the kids of Cyeza during our stay in Rwanda. On Friday afternoons we, the “Abazungu”, ate “ibidufu” with the children returning from school or with those who are just hanging around or with shepherds’ or farmers’ kids or with well-dressed or kids dressed in rags.

ODDITIES
The surprised and amused look on the peoples’ faces when they see the “abazungu” and the Italian “muganga” (doctor), not only buy but also eat “ibidufu” at the market is a sight to behold. They told us that no one had done it before so it must really have been strange!!!

HAPPINESS
We will never forget the rowdy laugh of about fifty rowdy kids who were making their way to school, when we sang a song using the word “UMUDUFU” to convey our joy of belonging a little to the Rwandese people.