The Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women.

Over the next 5 days, we will receive blogs, pictures and news items from the Peace through Business ® delegation on the ground in Rwanda, Africa. We will pass a “sampling” to you every couple of days. Please find below a combination of messages. Visit these websites and blog sites for additional information daily: www.ieew.org; www.darcieharris.com; and www.journalrecord.com Follow the delegation: Mary Mélon, Martha Parker, Desma Reid-Coleman, Lin Weigel, and Darcie Harris.

Remarks from Chief of Staff Lin Massey-Weigel as she travels with IEEW Board Members to Rwanda for In-Country Graduation:

The land of a ‘thousand hills’ is just as beautiful as when I left in December.

It was a very long trip to get 1/2 way around the world, but the US Peace through Business® delegation to Rwanda arrived in one piece. However,it took Desma Reid-Coleman (IEEW board member) 3 days and 5 countries to get here - but what a trooper she is to arrive and go right into a speech at graduation. It is Sunday night about 11:30 in Rwanda, and the graduation is over. We had a very spirited event with lots of African dancing, good speakers, and excited women. It is very hard to select only 15 out of the 30 to come to the US and leave behind the other 15. However, all of the women are very dedicated to not only growing their businesses, but to helping other women along the way.

Ambassador Symington (US Ambassador to Rwanda) spoke at the graduation with inspiring words and a terrific sense of humor. Other speakers include the IEEW delegation of Desma Reid-Coleman, Darcie Harris, Mary Melon, Martha Parker and yours truly. Rwandan Minister Mujuwamariya (Minister of Gender) was schedule to speak, however had to cancel at the last minute due to a death.

Tomorrow starts an exciting week of visits to the businesses of the selected 15 women and a few political visits. I look forward to sending you information and pictures as we go along. Traveling with Mary, Darcie, Desma, and Martha has been a terrific joy. Watch for links to Mary and Darcie’s websites as well!

From Martha Parker, IEEW Board Member and President of Parker & Associates:

Have arrived! After 30+ hours of travel, the arrival into Rwanda was such a treat. We were met at the airport by many of students bearing flowers. The city of Kigali looks much like San Diego by night - with hills and hills of lights spread out as far as the eye can see. Everywhere people are out on their motor scooters - talking, laughing and enjoying the wonderful mild weather.

My hosts and I stayed up for several hours just talking about the program - the world and the changes in Rwanda. They said how much the program has meant to the women - and to the country as a whole. this program is seen as a major step in building the capabilities for the future of Rwanda.

MORE:

Also, visit other members of our delegation Mary Melon, Publisher of the Journal Record who is blogging here and Darcie Harris, President-EWF International is blogging from her site - click here.