Friday, May 16, 2008

Women rise in Rwanda's revival
Female entrepreneurs run farms and other businesses following genocide
By Anthony Faiola
The Washington Post

MARABA, Rwanda - Sun-kissed plantations ring this village, renowned in recent years for growing the rich arabica beans brewed and served in some of the world's finest coffee houses. But the secret to success here has had far less to do with the idyllic climate and volcanic soil than with a group of people who have emerged as Maraba's -- and Rwanda's -- most potent economic force: women.

In the 14 years since the genocide, when 800,000 people died during three months of violence, this country has become perhaps the world's leading example of how empowering women can fundamentally transform post-conflict economies and fight the cycle of poverty.

Read the full article: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24659361/

World Relief has been helping to empower women in Rwanda since 1997 - just three years after the end of the genocide. Urwego Opportunity Microfinance Bank - the current joint venture between World Relief, Hope International, World Relief Canada, and Opportunity International, serves over 30,000 clients - 83% of which are women - with loans and savings services geared to lift the burden of poverty in Rwanda's recovering economy.

Click here for more on UOMB's work.

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