We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will be Killed With Our Families
by Philip Gourevitch

Africa Adorned
by Angela Fisher

Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela
by Nelson Mandela

Tribal Arts of Africa
by Jean-Baptiste Bacquart

Mbwira Ndumva: A story of hope

(Mbwira Ndumva means: "speak I'm listening")

Ever since seeing the horrific and saddening images of Rwanda in 1994, many people wondered how life could ever return to normal for those who survived such large-scale devastation.  Many of us also asked how in the world those who were lucky enough to survive would be able to find the courage to go on, much less to rebuild a nation.   

But one thing is true of the Rwandan people:  they have not lost hope!  They are working on a daily basis to move forward and build new lives.  Mothers who lost their children in the genocide have decided to become caretakers to orphans who lost their parents in the same tragic way.  Sisters, aunts and grandmothers are taking in their young relatives.  Many others are acting in love to do the same selfless gesture with strangers' children.  The poor are offering to make even greater sacrifices to welcome those who are in need.

The Mbwira Ndumva Initiative is working with women day in and day out to: teach them marketable skills, help them heal both physically and psychologically, and to find the hope and the means to start rebuilding the social fabric which was torn apart during the months of mayhem and killing:  the family.  The women who make up the initiative are loving and hard-working women who are doing their best to ensure a better future for Rwanda's women and children.  Your donation to their efforts will allow them to continue to serve the greatest number of people possible.

Thanks to the Mbwira Ndumva Intiative, Daphrose is providing for her children and can pay for their medical and school expenses.

Hand in hand, working together, the Rwandan people are working to rebuild a nation.  Through projects like the MBRIWA NDUMVA Initiative, Rwandan women are helping one another rebuild their lives and have hope for a better future.  Here is a list of some of the services offered by the Mbwira Ndumva Initiative:

• Counselling to genocide survivors and those suffering from HIV/AIDS
• Medical assistance
• Providing food and household items to the needy
• Job training for girls and women
• Micro-projects funding
• Provision of shelter to vulnerable widows
• Skills and business management training

If you would like to learn more about the work that Mbwira Ndumva is doing, you are welcome to visit their website at the following address:

www.mbwirandumva.org

(Please keep in mind that Rwanda regularly has problems with communications (phone, Internet, fax. So if you encounter problems while trying to view their website, please try again in a day or two. Or, you are welcome to contact MamaAfrika with any questions and we can put you in touch with their director, Beatrice.)

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