Getting known in Rwanda

The other day we had breakfast with a gentlemen named Albert Nsengiyumva, a great friend and local contact. He was excited because the previous evening an acquaintance was telling him about the "Ungana Foundation". Albert was taken back! It wasn't just that someone knew about us, but this was his SECOND conversation about Ungana - the first was with the Minister of Education! He told us both gentlemen were well aware of our presence and stated "these guys are serious". We were certainly ecstatic to hear that Ungana was being hailed by the Minister of Education and came up in dinner conversation. It was a true sign that our organization is now here, and here to stay.

Also in our meeting with Albert, he informed us about a campaign he'd thought up years ago but never found the right partner. Between praises for our current work, and an offer to share USAID grant money, he invited Ungana to manage his idea; its called "Rwanda, Its Possible". The plan involves a national awareness of smaller entrepreneurs who have succeeded. Imagine a portfolio of success stories, publized throughout the country to inspire rural entreneurs and provide hope in the seemingly impossible. Albert's network of higher-ups would put the campaign on the national stage, recruiting Ministers, business leaders, Rwanda's most exclusive group the "Unity Club", and even the President himself. "Rwanda, Its Possible" is a perfect segway into our entrepreneurship endeavors planned for 2010.

Needless to say, things are moving at a quickening pace. Despite our many rejections to offers for partnership, the projects are building up. Our next step is funding then recruitment. We've met a great team of Rwandese young professionals to manage our programs and can't wait to give them personal ownership in what we're trying to do.