Moving Beyond Ethnic Differences to Economic Competitiveness

2007 commemorates the 13th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide that resulted in the death of nearly a million men, women and children and a society torn apart by politics, segregation, ethnic favoritism and economic injustices.

Today Rwanda is safe and beautiful once again. The Rwandan Government strives to involve all segments of society to play an active role in economic development. Among its top initiatives is the empowerment of women to give them a bigger voice in the country's future. There has also been significant investment in capacity building to create a favorable environment for investors.

Yet the Rwandan business challenges are still many. Most women never had a chance to go to school and they lack the business expertise to grow sustainable businesses. Like entrepreneurs the world over, businesswomen in Rwanda also need financing, industry specific business knowledge and a skilled labor force.

The 21 Rwandan women who are Associates in Bpeace's fast runner program are vital actors in laying ground for the future generation that will not look at ethnic differences but economic competitiveness. Bpeace is helping them by providing:

• A Bpeace office in Kigali, staffed by a project manager solely dedicated to increasing their skills and sales. For each Bpeace Rwandan Associate, the benefit is ongoing support and follow-up over the course of their three years in the program.
• On-the-ground practical business training and pro-bono consulting delivered by business volunteers. Mission teams of six to eight volunteers travel twice a year from the US and Europe at their own expense. 2007's training workshops in Rwanda will include customer service, marketing and HR management (curriculum developed by in part by grant from an anonymous client of JP Morgan). Each Associate will need pro-bono consulting follow-up in the same topics. The benefit is training that meets the real world needs of these Rwandan businesswomen with the follow-up to ensure that it is applied in a timely manner. Read about our last Rwandan mission here.
• Industry-specific technical training delivered by traveling mentors. Bpeace matches technical experts willing to use their vacation time and budget to work one-on-one with a Bpeace Associate, transferring practical knowledge and know-how with a side benefit of a satisfying cultural exchange. We are looking for traveling mentors with expertise in the following industries: hotel and hospitality, beauty salons, horticulture, commercial office cleaning, photography, food services, funeral services, amusement parks, freight forwarding, party supply and dairy.
• Business-building road trips to the US. In groups of five or less, the Rwandan Bpeace Associates visit American businesses, trade shows, wholesalers and equipment manufacturers. The Rwandan Associates meet potential customers, acquire product and service inspiration, new skills and tools. Read about Constance's recent road trip to New York.
• Bpeace Inspiration Kits. Containing industry-specific trade journals, product and service trends, photos and samples. Created by Bpeace members, these kits bring ideas across borders.
• Logos and branding. Each Associate needs a clear articulation of her business vision and the promise she is making to her customers and staff. We are recruiting for graphic designers willing to design pro-bono branding materials.
• Connecting the dots between business and peace. Bpeace has helped our Rwandan Associates articulate their “peace vision” as well as a “business vision.” The women entrepreneurs in our program pay back the investment we have made in them by initiating projects that foster peace and reconciliation in their communities.
• Computers and Internet access. The Rwandan Associates gain the ability to track finances and have an accurate picture of profit and loss; identify and communicate with customers and vendors; manage customer and staff records; access research and best practices. Made possible in part by United Business Media and donors at the 2007 Bpeace Gala.

The Rwanda Action Team is always looking for new members. If you are interested in supporting our work, please consider joining or donating Bpeace.