Founders of the Women & Child Development Center; Chantel Munanayire, Hope Mbabazi and Alice Ingabire.
A short twenty years ago, women in Rwanda did not typically work outside the home. Many of the women vendors are single mothers trying to eke out a living by selling their beautiful wares on the streets of Kigali. Often, the women cannot afford the required permits to operate. Without the permit, they are subject to arrest and time spent in jail. Many of these women have small children that would be forced to fend for themselves without the hard work of their mothers.
PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS® Alumnae and In-Country Association President, Hope Mbabazi, along with 2014 In-Country Graduates Chantal Munanayrie and Alice Ingabire, were compelled to start the Women and Child Development Center. They were determined to Pay Forward their PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS® education and formed the Center as a way to train women in basic cottage industry capabilities such as hair braiding and baking bread. While the women learn their craft, the children are fed and educated. And, all of this takes place inside a tent!
Hope, owner of Zuba Trading Ltd, says, “It is fulfilling to be helpful to the less privileged. Some social issues being faced in Africa today are preventable if those with means would be inspired to give back to their societies.” Hope lost her father at age 6 and she grew up in a single parent home so she relates to the plight of the women she helps. “I understand the difference a little help from a good Samaritan can make to a child who needs the basics in life; food, clothes, education. “
She goes on to say, “Giving back is more a responsibility than a whim. In Rwandan culture it is ingrained in a tradition known as kugabira where those with lots of cattle give some to their less fortunate neighbors. It also constitutes part of the corporate social responsibility aspect of my company.”
Hope and her partners in The Center credit the PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS® program for inspiring them to Pay Forward the knowledge they have received. Hope sees PTB as “an educative program that imparts enhanced business skills to women business owners. And, that PTB is also a great networking initiative both locally and internationally, makes it a tremendously attractive and useful vehicle for female entrepreneurs.”
She goes on to say, “The current PTB class is composed of a very enthusiastic crop of business women. They have taken on tasks and contributed immensely to the ongoing projects of the Rwanda Chapter. We see them both challenging the status quo and using their spare energy to drive us on to greater heights.”
“The visit by Dr. Terry Neese and her great team was awesome and motivational. I know her story moves me daily. She is truly a role model to us all and we are made to want to do better every waking moment. And, I wish to give extra kudos to my loving friend Jan Hill for having honored me by accepting to live with my family during her first visit to Africa.”
Hope, Chantal and Alice are examples of nearly 240 PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS® women paying it forward in Rwanda. We look forward to meeting Chantal in Dallas and Oklahoma City during Leadership Development in July. Chantal has the distinction of founding the only woman-owned auto garage in the country - and owner of possibly the only auto paint unit on the entire continent of Africa!
It only takes one woman to make a difference. Dr. Terry Neese was one woman that paid it forward. Jan Hill, Eden Salons Oklahoma City, was inspired by Dr. Neese’s message and paid it forward by mentoring Hope (as well as others), Hope inspired two friends to start the Women and Child Development Center together. Be a part of the PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS(r) program. This chain of events leads to those children of the Center, who will one day look back and be thankful for the women that made them feel safe.
