The car made its way toward a halt, a mere five kilometers from Kigali's city center. Barricades had been erected to prevent the streets from being dominated by vehicles.
Along the way, a multitude of people disembarked with a purposeful, brisk stride, indicating they had a destination in mind. It was soon apparent that everyone was headed towards Kigali Heights.
The joggers in sports attire were quickly overtaken by dozens others dressed in vibrant, hot pink outfits, and there was no shortage of pink-themed accessories either. Many were adorned with pink ribbons, donned pink sneakers, or purchased pink water bottles.
They strolled approximately 500 yards past Kigali Convention Center, took a short break in the shade, and then promptly resumed their journey on the train, bound for the canopies positioned near Kimihurura roundabout.
These tents initially hosted an estimated gathering of 400 people — although that number may have dwindled to around 300 after the rain commenced. The exact count remains uncertain, but it was quite evident that people came in droves.
This is the hub for campaigns promoting gender equality. This is the place where visually impaired persons receive massage therapy and ICT training to enhance their employment prospects.
It's also where young people are equipped with essential first aid skills to address situations like hemorrhages and perform CPR in life-threatening emergencies. As part of this, complimentary water is provided to quench the thirst of the hundreds of people participating in the car-free day.
Certainly, the five-star establishment, Radisson Blu, was among the many institutions in Kigali that embraced the country's relatively recent and charming policy of car-free days. During these dedicated hours, they actively contribute to raising awareness about breast cancer screening.
So the bi-monthly street closures serve a purpose beyond Rwanda's broader initiative to transform Kigali into a more environmentally sustainable city.
"As part of our commitment to responsible business at Radisson Blu, we prioritize the well-being of our staff and our community,” stated Alice Mushyitsi, who oversees responsible business at Radisson.
"October marks the breast cancer awareness campaign. We seized this opportunity to emphasize the importance of being aware of your health status, and one effective approach is by connecting with people on the streets.” Mushyitsi emphasized that the campaign aimed to potentially save lives through the early detection of cancer.
Breast cancer confined to the breast itself is not typically fatal; it becomes life-threatening when it metastasizes, spreading to other organs or the bones. Early detection operates on the premise that the disease follows a predictable progression, commencing with a solitary abnormal cell, advancing step by step, and eventually reaching a critical stage where it becomes deadly. Consequently, early detection facilitates more effective treatment, often resulting in improved outcomes and an increased likelihood of survival.
Dr. Honorine Umucyo, a senior officer in Cancer Disease at Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC), and one of the specialists present during the campaign, expressed her hope that the initiative would serve as a reminder for people with busy lifestyles, regardless of gender or age, to incorporate regular breast cancer checks into their routines.
She explained: "The breast self-exam is a structured procedure where women are taught to systematically examine their breast tissue each month, scrutinizing it inch by inch and layer by layer in a grid pattern.”
Umucyo said that the fundamental idea behind this practice is to encourage women to promptly seek medical attention if they detect any changes, such as a persistent lump or alterations in the texture of either the breasts or nipples.
According to the doctor, the campaign also aims to encourage lifestyle modifications, including dietary habits and physical activity, to decrease the risk of developing the disease. The campaign made headway, at least to the extent that the weather allowed. More people began to gravitate toward Radisson's tents, and this was largely due to the striking pink attire worn by the team.
The branding of the disease has been exceptionally effective; its pervasive marketing has turned the pink ribbon into one of the most universally recognized symbols of our era. The ribbon has come to represent both the fear of the disease and the optimism for its defeat. It serves as a symbol of bravery for those affected, a manifestation of support from the empathetic, and a pledge of ongoing efforts to find a cure through donations, races, and volunteer work, all the while emphasizing a sense of community.
More than anything else, though, people were keen to learn if Radisson had intentions of undertaking additional health-related initiatives. "After today's experience, it's clear that there's a demand for more,” noted Mushyitsi.
"Men have inquired about addressing prostate cancer, and women have asked why we haven't considered other types of cancer, not just breast cancer.” She went on to share that the plan for the upcoming year is to undertake a more expansive and comprehensive healthcare endeavour.