Waking up early on the weekends is not for the fainthearted. When my alarm went off at 6:20 AM, I thought to myself that maybe, I should just not go. It was just sports, and although I have failed terribly at my diet, I would try gym like the rest of my cool friends.

But I had to wake up because of the cause at least. The Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion and City of Kigali had planned an awareness campaign for the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence.

Also, because it had been weeks since I bought new sportswear, I had to wear it someday, and there didn’t seem to be another day soon. I may gain or lose weight and it doesn’t fit anymore.

Besides waking up before the sun, everything else seemed to be in my favour. I had never participated in a car free day before, but people clearly walk. Only a few can be spotted running or riding bicycles.

I consider myself a walker. In fact, if I had a middle name, it should have been Mugenzi (walker, goer). So it was a bit suspicious to read on the flyer that we would walk from the BK Arena to the Kigali Convention Centre round about. It is less than three Kilometres.

Maybe they didn’t think feminists could walk, which would have been sexist, I thought to myself. But then it was an awareness campaign, so the main point was the cause.

Whoever invented the "Rwandans can’t keep time” saying lied, or has never met car free day organizers. I failed to get a motorcycle and got tired of walking before I even reached the venue because the roads were closed for some vehicles.

I arrived at BK Arena at about 10 minutes past 7:00 AM, and it was clear that I had missed out a lot on the aerobics. The motorcyclist passed through tiny bumpy streets between people’s homes because the main road was closed. People who were obviously heading to church were also walking holding their Bibles.

We made it anyway. Everyone was dressed in orange, which is the colour theme for the 16 days of activism against GBV, and it looked vibrant.

People who seemed to be in their late 20s and early 30s made three long lines as the spirit got higher and higher. In less than 10 minutes, we were on our way.

Some people chose to run, I still wonder why. But even those who were merely walking were too fast that it was very hard to catch up.

When we reached Gishushu, the walking had already become unbearable. And this was funny because there were toddlers who would run back and forth as if athletes. They didn’t seem tired, even for a bit.

When we departed BK Arena, we were not more than 100, but reaching KCC, we were no less than 300.

Everyone seemed to be minding their business. Children were playing, some adults were trying out road tennis right in front of Kigali Heights, and Zone fitness, a gym based in Kigali was advertising their services.

A muscular man helped us with simple cardio workout, while others were trying out battling ropes and weight lifting. Who doesn’t love free services? One would have broken their bones to work out for the month (of course, those who wouldn’t spend a con for gym).

There was a long queue heading to a tent where they screen Non-Communicable Diseases, and the elderly seemed to dominate on this one.

They measured our weight, waist circumference, heart rate and our blood sugar level. After getting results, we would then go to the medical counsellors, one by one, to be told our health state.

They advised us to eat vegetables and fruits, have a balanced diet, exercise at least three hours a week, drink enough water and brush our teeth before going to bed, among others.

The disappointment

I walked back home in a good mood, telling everyone who cared to listen how I lost three kilograms. I felt like a natural who just loses weight for having a balanced diet a few times a month. I felt special.

I was ecstatic and started noticing that my tummy had reduced, legs smaller, and was on the quest to lose three more kilograms to have the perfect weight.

On the other hand, it was too good to be true. I had to verify if I was indeed weighing less. I tried two more places in the same week and was utterly disappointed that I didn’t lose a gram.

But the most important lesson I learnt was that I could cut weight by participating in car free days. Only twice a month. It is also a nice way to catch up with friends and potential professional partners, and to advertise one’s services.