American Association for Rwandan Women

We encourage you to join Step Up! to bring hope to the survivors of the Rwandan genocide.

Your donation will help us to build and maintain the Rwanda counseling center to assist women survivors of rape and other gender-based violence.

The center will be called Nsanga, which means “come to me” and it will be a place for hope and healing.

Friday, November 2nd
Step Up! Fundraiser
Silent Auction and Dinner
PeachTree Plaza
Details to be announced soon.
For more information please call 573-445-5820

February 2007 Newsletter
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Step Up! Fundraiser - 2006
The Step Up! fundraiser on November third was a huge success. Over 200 people joined the celebration of our second year of existence and to help the women of Rwanda. Ambassador Joyce Leader spoke on the topic of “Conflict, Women and Human Security: The Step Up! Contribution to Lasting Peace in Rwanda.”

Through the silent auction, ticket sales, card sales and donations, over $8000 was added to the Step Up bank account. We are grateful to all of you who participated and gave so generously.

In January, the board met and voted to allocate $6000 to start a beekeeping project with the ABASA women in Butare. (ABASA is a Rwandan word meaning “we are all the same”) The women are all survivors of extreme sexual violence and struggle to survive with subsistence agriculture. The provision of 30 beehives and a year’s training and guidance in the management of hives and the gathering of honey will begin almost immediately. We will also use $1000 for a second year’s rent of a building to facilitate the small business of sewing school uniforms... Read Full Newsletter