We can’t help it. We just keep moving.

As we say farewell to our departing Afghan Associates shown here on their their first day in New York for their October 2008 apprenticeships, we are off to Rwanda!!!!

JUST as Bpeace’s twelve Afghan entrepreneur Associates leave for home after three weeks of training in the US, two Bpeacers mail their absentee ballots and take off for Rwanda.

How can I help you?
It’s a question we ask our Associates all the time. But come November our Associates will be learning the question’s awesome power. Steve Kulovits, is on a return mission to Rwanda to deliver part two of Customer Service Training. His program was such a hit in September 07 that it appeared all of Rwanda wanted it. But only Bpeace Associates have it and Steve left them wanting more. Steve will dig in with the associates and their staffs for some real time adventures in service.

From Richard Niwenshuti, Bpeace’s Program Manager in Rwanda . . .
Customer service is the vision we should have. It’s not about culture. It’s about understanding that sustainability of the business is based on the reputation you develop with the clients. It’s not about having business skills alone but passion for clients’ needs. Steve's sessions are a pillar of business and a weapon for competition.

A vision of beauty you can believe in
Three of the women entrepreneurs in Rwanda own beauty salons, which like other Rwandan salons cannot keep up with consumer demand. There are simply not enough trained stylists despite high unemployment rates. So two of these salon owners have asked for our help. Their dream is to open a beauty school not only to fill a market need, but to provide a livelihood for the next generation of Rwandans. We believe in Jeanne's and Sylvie's vision. In our largest job development initiative to date, Bpeace volunteers and corporate partners are helping to launch Rwanda’s first beauty school. The school needs $250,000 for its first two years of operation before it can become self-sustaining. On her fifth mission to Rwanda, Kate Buggeln will help Jeanne and Sylvie steam forward on the implementation building on the September work of Barbara Bylenga and Alix Samuelson.

Making money work
Access to capital is one of the biggest barriers business and job growth. Bpeace volunteers and staff forged an innovative partnership with Fina Bank in Kigali to provide business expansion loans to the qualified entrepreneurs in our program.


And this fall FINA issued our first loans! During this mission we will be working with the borrowing associates on determining the technical assistance they need to make the money really work for them.

Enjoy the days ahead with us.