By Nancy Zeller | Founder
Finally, Covid restrictions have lifted and our founder, Nancy, and board member, Jennifer, have returned to Rwanda for the first time since 2019! It is wonderful to be back with the families, to visit with the chlldren in our school programs, and to further advance our mission.
The Umva dyers are back in full swing, creating gorgeous botanical prints on wool, silk and cotton scarves and wraps. Since the Umva project was launched in 2015, we have had two women dyeing fabric in the yard of their home, having to haul water to do so. During this trip, Nancy has trained three more women to join the effort - a major step forward! Another goal of the trip was to identify a new work space for the dyers in nearby Musanze where they can work together more efficiently. We are thrilled to have secured space within an arts center where Rwandan artists and craftspeople create, display, and sell their work. Here all five women (and more in the future!) will be able to perform the dye work more easily, and where people can come and observe the dyeing process and purchase finished pieces. Establishing this new space will create visibility for the Umva Project within the local community and further afield in Rwanda. Preparations of the space are slated to begin in early 2023.
Nancy and Jennifer also had the pleasure and good fortune of meeting a Rwandan woman with extensive experience working with disadvantaged Rwandan families, She is very interested in Rwanda-one4one's mission and we are honored that she has agreed to join our Board of Directors. She will offer unique perspective as a Rwandan woman and mother regarding the challenges that families face in Rwanda, and will provide continuity of communication and support on the ground.
Finally, the children in our scholarship program have begun the second trimester of school; we have added two new children this year for a total of 21 students in the program. It has been wonderful to meet with all the kids during their school holiday. They expressed such gratitude for the opportunity to attend school - they and we thank you for your generousity and kindess. We couldn't achieve any of this without you!
Murabeho (farewell)
Links:
By Jennie Norman | Board Chair
By Nancy Zeller | Founder
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