2018 has just begun, and we are off and running thanks to you! The Togetherness Cooperative in Rwanda is bursting with kids, with innovation and with hope for the future. Togetherness is one special example of what your faithful friendship paired with good local leadership can bring to life.
Several hundred children regularly congregate at Togetherness to play soccer. Even more Rwandan neighbors make daily trips to the well which serves the villages around Togetherness. Chickens scurry out of the way as a brown and white cow is led up the hill to her stall where she’ll provide fresh milk for the younger children of the Cooperative.
Thanks and joy from children at Togetherness Cooperative, Rwanda
A cow being led up the hill for milking
In November, I sat in a circle with 12 of the young women of Togetherness who graduated from three months of intensive bakery business training (thanks to our wonderful collaborative partners at The Women’s Bakery) less than one year ago. Life still has its challenges for the young people of Togetherness, but the progress they have achieved in only a few years is an inspiration to me. The girls each had a word to say about what their business and their skills mean to them.
“I didn’t know where to find money for my needs and now not I do not worry”
“I didn’t have somewhere to go each day and now I have a job”
“It is good for girls to be encouraged.”
“”I can buy small things that I once could not, soap and personal items”
“Now I can plan”
“We are thankful and strong and proud together”
Kelly meeting with bakery training graduates
This is your impact! Get ready for stories of more kids in school, growing farms, expanding small businesses, skills training, strong communities, sports for healing and hope, fresh bread and the power of hope.
I am honored and humbled to be on this journey with Togetherness Cooperative and all our Changemaker partners, and with you. Thank you.