I've been in Rwanda for only two days, yet I could leave tomorrow and be ecstatic about the progress we've made in that time. For example, it was a whirlwind of activity today at Cocoki! From 9am - 4pm we:
(1) Made an order for FOUR new products: wine bags, sports bags, yoga bags, and pajamas;
(2) Conducted interviews with fourteen new cooperative members;
(3) Negotiated a lease agreement for Cocoki's great new building;
(4) Conducted ad hoc English training (led by our awesome volunteers from Baton Rouge, LA);
(5) Performed a skit explaining how products make their way from the women's sure hands to your homes (written, produced, and acted by the Baton Rouge Quartet);
(6) Showed the women repetitive stress injury exercises and yoga moves, which was a source of hilarity for everyone (also led by the Baton Rouge team); and
(7) Observed a Management Skills training program (where the women received their exam scores from the last class).
On a personal note, it has been absolutely fantastic to have the whole Indego Africa team together - me, Matt, Tom, Megan, Jadot and, of course, the women!
Not surprisingly, i've already taken 400 photographs. A few choice selections:
Yeves, an intern from Orphans of Rwanda, prepares for his professorial duties.
The women at Cocoki take notes during management training.
An intense focus on sewing.
Umutoni-Zubeda, a child from Cocoki, 3 years old.
Donatille Mukandri, 30.
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