“So then this place belongs to you, make yourself at home.”
Welcome words spoken by Ambassador Stuart Symington, who along with his wife Susan hosted US Embassy personnel, USAID staffers, Bpeace volunteers, staff and Associates to an evening of business discourse. Listening to the birds sing among the cool green of the Ambassador’s residence terrace we felt at home. Most importantly we felt Bpeace shared a vision with the Ambassador for the role of business in building peace. He showed a real appreciation for Bpeace’s efforts in Rwanda, even raising his glass in toast. Jeanne, Sylvie, Pascasie and Soline represented our Associates and were questioned closely about how Bpeace has accelerated their businesses, all the way charmed by the Ambassador who led the dialogue in French. We have a new advocate and only time will tell the fruits of it. Among giggles in parting, Jeanne admonished Kate that she was the only one who didn’t speak the language!
Ambassador Stuart Symington and Jeanne.
Soline, Tye Ferrell of USAID and Kate talk Rwandan business.It was part of a typical full day and yet there was a buzz in the air about the American election which was unmistakable. It was ALL the talk at Republika where Kate and Steve dined and worked the tables greeting Kigali friends, everyone wanting to talk politics with the visiting Americans, where it pushed aside even talk of the crisis to the north in Congo. As we type this blog the returns are coming in as the sun rises here. It is a wondrous experience to watch this unfold from an emotional Africa. In Rwanda they yearn for the promise of racial equality to be realized in America but worry for the implications of Rwandan support. Bush has many fans in Africa for the work his administration has done here. Rwandans hope that Obama will continue the work. Kate and Steve will be heading out to a morning Election Watching party so more African coverage on the election tomorrow. We will also provide some local perspective on Congo as well.
So for now returning to what is our Tuesday and yesterday, the Beauty School team met to continue the big push forward for the Rwandan Beauty School. There was frank talk about the fundraising challenges in the current economic climate which may impact our timetable and the details of Bpeace’s agreement with the Associates . The Associates agreed to share in the effort and in the coming months Richard, Jeanne and Sylvie will be on the hunt for local money. Barb and Kate will lead the way in the US and may even host Jeanne and Sylvie on an American press tour to raise awareness. So with money understood as the BIG priority Jeanne shared her learnings from research of like school concepts in Uganda. The need for more students and an offering of 3,6.9, and 12 month curriculum options were her biggest takeaways. The team will need to continue to evolve the model as we raise funds. Later in the morning the team met with a potential partner who runs a school in Uganda and has interest in partnering with Jeanne and Sylvie. Lots to think about here.
Customer Service continued to be the other talk of the day in Kigali, where even at Republika diners urged Steve’s training to spread across Rwanda. Steve spent the day with Pascasie, first out on the road with the drivers acquiring both a sunburn on a sunny day in rainy season and knowledge. Steve questioned customers, drivers and loaders about service satisfaction. Then it was into the classroom with 12 staff including accountants, loaders, drivers for what was at times a challenging session. Steve marveled at the disconnection to the notion of service! But by the end Pascasie reported to Susan that “this training is just what I been hoping for” brightening a sagging Steve.
Can Pascasie's accountants and drivers serve together?“All who have accomplished great things have had a great aim, have fixed their gaze on a
goal which was high, one which sometimes seemed impossible.” Orison Marden
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