In 78 days I will return to Rwanda to continue working with entrepreneurs in Kigali and continue supporting a couple of orphanages - however we can!
Dave Ormesher, CEO of Global Relief and Development Partners, is currently in Rwanda and here are pieces from an email he sent me this morning.
Finished another great workshop, our third in the 2010 series. I also did a module on Building a World Class Brand to Compete in the new East African Community. Big hit...
Then after lunch...Everyone got the positive impact of Free Days on relationships... But when I quoted the statistic that Coach clients who double their free days (aka holidays) double their income, the crowd let out a collective gasp.
We had an informal coffee reception the night before the workshop, and then tomorrow morning I and two other American entrepreneurs are holding back-to-back 45 min 1:1s with entrepreneurs out on the patio at the Serena Hotel. Then a swing by Gisimba and then a dash for the airport to go to Nairobi.
The election here was amazing. Very peaceful and orderly. I went to a couple of polling stations. And then I went to the national stadium at 8pm for the celebration. You may have seen a few of my Facebook pics. It was amazing. I went down onto the field which was packed with thousands of people all dancing to the live music of a series of pop Rwandan acts on stage. I got myself a bright red RPF campaign shirt the day before and wore it as I danced my way through the crowd right up to the stage. I became quite the celebrity. Or oddity. Then at midnight I went over to a private big-donor party at one of the new hotels and hung out with the celebs until about 4am. It was around that time that the gov’t declared the next day a national holiday... Good thing.
There is so much optimism and excitement here. Everyone feels like the last seven years were focused on building infrastructure, and now they feel they are ready to rock.
Thank you to the Toronto team for supporting me with the customized presentations and the detailed coach guides! You guys are the best. People love the fact that the content is in their context, and it makes it so easy to present.
Cheers!
-do
Please donate $50 to Global Relief and Development Partners' Social Entrepreneurship Program and Faith Victory's Orphanage in Kigali, Rwanda. Every dollar makes a difference.
- About Me
- An avid volunteer, Melanie Woodward has built a life based on passion…passion for learning and for discovering and travelling the world. Melanie had an incredible, life-altering volunteer experience with Global Relief and Development Partners in Kigali, Rwanda in December, 2009. Her self-funded trip to Rwanda is one of several initiatives Melanie has undertaken for the betterment of the Rwandan people. She is also working with Gisimba Orphanage, Faith Victory Association, she is funding the education of a 15 year old orphan she met in Kigali, and plans an annual art fundraiser (www.artforafrica.info). Melanie is thrilled to be working with Global Relief and Development Partners, where their level of passion matches her own. Melanie’s formal education and experiences volunteering have prepared her for this life-changing journey. She has traveled to over 26 countries, working and volunteering in many of them. A former event planner for events like the Juno and Grey Cup festivals, Melanie has combined her organizational spirit with her humanitarian heart for the greatest experience of her life.
Map of Rwanda
