Monday in a nutshell:
- Held several associate meetings to deliver final marketing materials to our "clients".
- Led a successful beauty school meeting in which the associates firmly committed to the project. They selected the model they wish to pursue --- practical lessons will be taught in their salons and theory offered in a classroom setting. Thank goodness for Bpeace volunteer Alix Samuelson's 40 hours of work assessing the financial impact of the difference approaches. But for now alert the beauty team at home! We have much to do in the coming months. And the associates are eager to meet you all by email and have asked for an exchange of photos and introductions.
- Met with FINA and BCR, two of the local banks. Sabra is still scratching her head. Kate happy that they seem to be competing for our business.
- Had dinner with Cari Clement from Rwanda Knits and her small team. Caught up on her program which continues to make progress
- And yes with a cut off of the lights a birthday crepe arrived along with the singing staff
Happy Birthday Athena.
6 comments:
Half the team is gone and it sounds like you delivered double the work. Amazing (as usual).
Marie, Cass and I arrived home and our waiting time in airports was spent discussing the mission, the Associates, and the feeling that Bpeace gives us to know we are making personal and collaborative contributions that do make a difference.
Thank you Kate for leading a team that delivered a tremenous amount of work on many fronts, not just marketing.
Some of us described Rwanda as Paradise. There is a lot of work for all the Bpeacers and volunteers who will follow us, and you couldn't ask for a more beautiful and welcoming place to do it in.
--Toni
Happy birthday Athena! I can think of no better place to celebrate, although you may be wishing you were in Senegal..
Cass and I are missing Rwanda deeply. The mission was an amazing experience for both of us and we are already talking about how to return.
We felt privileged to be part of a great team with terrific and caring leadership--thank you Kate--you represent bpeace with grace, dignity and professionalism. And Susan and Richard, our ground crew in Rwanda are top notch--Richard--how is it that we left without having a chance to say good bye? You both made us feel instantly welcome and cared for. You generously shared your knowledge and insights. Thank you. Athena and Sabra--we now count you as friends. We have learned from you and cannot overestimate the humor, grace and joy you brought to the mission. Susan New York - you are the most cheerful can-do problem solver. Your affection and respect for the Rwandese are apparent and important. And Toni, our bpeace leader. We wouldn't have gone without your encouragement. And while there you made us feel like valued and welcome team members, not like newbies who have yet to earn their stripes.
Now we are trying to re-enter our old lives with our new eyes. I am getting ready for a trip to California next week and Cass will return to school. The laundry is still piled up and my living room looks like the New York outpost of Constance's shop.
The country and its people are tugging on our hearts. The images of Rwanda play like a slide show in our heads when we try to sleep. It is all so vivid still. We drove from JFK to home and did not see one person who was not in a car--except toll takers. In that distance in Rwanda we would have seen thousands of people gathering, walking, working, playing. We miss that. We miss the beat of humanity that we have lost in our industrialized world. We miss Rwanda.
amahoro
Marie
Hello Amazing Ladies - your Brit Blog Stalker here - sneaking in as you turn out the lights and prepare to fly home exhausted and happy. I say WOW!
WOW!
WOW!(have to praise in triplicate to get across the magnitude of my admiration)
I am gob-smacked (Brit for flabberghasted) at what energy you emit, how much you get done, how many hearts get expanded, how many flabbers get ghasted - you guys really are Bodhisatvas from BPeace (is there someone there who can do me a logo for that and trademark it - yes of course there is - you ladies have everything you need, in the room:)Oh, and Kate, that Bodhi-word thingy is a bit of a California/Buddhist word, so you'll have to ask Athena for translation:)and then you can use it with gay abandon when you come to visit us, and people will think you're a CA native
Anyway, just wanted to say well done,in triplicate for your amazing work and journey and I cant wait to hear all about it from Athena when I pick her up at the airport on Weds eve.
Travel home safely, with deep unabashed satisfaction for a job well done
Love
Vanda
I have been on deadlines and just spent some time catching up on the blog postings. I'm sorry I couldn't post this while you were all still there (I think most of you are either home or en route home now 1/24?). But I wanted to let you know how very impressed I am at what you all have been doing. Once again Bpeace does a phenomenal job on its mission. I am proud to know you, and am warmed by the stories of your work and the impact on our associates in Rwanda.
Athena, belated Happy Birthday! And everyone -- great job.
Hugs to all,
Paula
Happy Birthday, Catherine!
Travel home safely,
Kirsten
Tears run down my face as I view your glowing faces and read of the work you are doing. Thank you for sharing your gifts in Rwanda.
Happy Birthday sweet beautiful powerful Athena. Way to begin your new year of life. May you continue to go after your dreams and inspire/support others to do the same.
YOu all inspire me.
Much love,
Lisa
livewellisa@yahoo.com
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