Anne, Cari, Delilah, Jita, Kate, Marla, Maureen and Peter in Rwanda--August-September 2005.
Bpeace first started working with Rwandans two years ago when our members helped make an international market for their "Peace Baskets." Today we are focusing on supporting businesswomen with more diversified products and services in order to help them build sustainable businesses, thus creating longer-term jobs for Rwandans. Photo © Peter Lien 2005
Bpeace (The Business Council for Peace) is a non-profit international network of business professionals who volunteer to help women entrepreneurs in post-conflict regions expand their businesses, create employment and build a more peaceful future for their communities. More jobs mean less violence.
What is the purpose of this Bpeace mission to Rwanda?
To develop our strategy in the region by integrating key learnings from the first phase of Bpeace's activities in Rwanda (2003/4) with this mission's fresh assessment of the current business/social environment. One important objective will be to identify leading candidates for the Bpeace Fast Runner program within promising existing or emerging industries.
Who is paying for this Bpeace mission?
We are, out of our pockets. Bpeace members pay for their own travel on missions, thereby ensuring that donor funds raised go directly into programs for our women in the field.