Family planning is indispensable to the future of Rwanda, where the population of about 8 million is densely crowded into a territory of 26,338 sq km. The Chinese medical mission has observed that some Rwandan women continue to have children after 7-10 delivers and even after 3 or 4 repeat caesareans. Rwanda's family planning program was initiated about 10 years ago with creation of the National Office of Population (ONAPO). The Chinese physicians working in Kibungo became experienced in radical sterilization techniques in the Chinese family planning program. Under the supervision of the Kibungo Hospital, they began to collaborate with the Regional Office of ONAPO in Kibungo. The physicians successfully performed 31 female sterilizations without complications. Tubal ligations performed by the Chinese physicians require small incisions and brief operative time. Under general anesthesia the operation is painless. Hospitalization is not required. Few supplies are needed. The operation is well accepted by clients. Between late 1990 and mid-1991 some 30 sterilizations were performed, including both tubal ligations and vasectomies.