• Received 501c3 status in the U.S. (thanks to our partners at Perkins Coie) and NGO status in Rwanda
• Bought 11.5 hectares of land on beautiful Lake Milayi in the Bugesera District in March and held a ground breaking ceremony … complete with the only bulldozer in the whole sector on site!
• Signed our Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Education
• Continued our work with Washington State University to develop the sustainable agriculture component of the model
• Added fabulous members to both our board here in Seattle and to the advisory board in Rwanda
• Continued to cultivate and form partnerships, including San Diego State University, Purdue University and several interested corporations
• Watched in amazement the development of the architectural plans created by the brilliantly minded architects at Mulvanny G2
• Exceeded our first fundraising goal and began to work diligently toward completing the next phase 

Thank you for all your support. We couldn’t do it without you. 

Shalisan Foster, Co-Founder Rwanda Girls Initiative

Two Gifts in One Give the gift of education this holiday season by donating online to the Rwanda Girls Initiative.  Honor a friend or family member and get a printable certificate to put under the tree this Christmas. You may also send a check to Rwanda Girls Initiative at: RGI PO Box 272 Medina, WA 98039

Paul Kagame Speaks to RGI Friends and Supporters in Seattle

The Rwanda Girls Initiative (RGI) celebrated its official launch at an event in early June with a very special distinguished guest, President Paul Kagame of Rwanda.  President Kagame addressed the importance of the RGI project and stressed the critical need to educate and engage young women if Rwanda is to achieve its Millennium Development Goals.   We were honored to have President Kagame, one of TIME magazine’s 2009 100 most Influential People, take the time to share his vision for Rwanda and to support the work of RGI.

Maria Eitel, president of the Nike Foundation spoke about the significant return on investment that comes from educating girls; both to the individual and to the community.  The evening was informative and inspiring; With evening temperatures nearing 90 degrees, it actually felt like a tropical evening in Rwanda.    

The launch event marked the beginning of fundraising to build the Gashora Community Center & Girls Academy.  We are greatly encouraged by the enthusiasm we’ve received to date and are thrilled to share that we surpassed our first major fundraising goal in August.  We look forward expanding the number of core investors in the new year. 

We’ve also had the opportunity to work with the generous and internationally renowned design firm MulvannyG2 on the architecture of the Gashora Girls Academy and Community Center.  The culturally-relevant and environmentally-sustainable design will be a critical component of educating the ‘whole girl’ and cultivating community partnerships.  Read the spotlight on the MulvannyG2 employees who have dedicated their time and efforts to this project.   

Check out our Web site for more RGI news and updates – including background on our three recent hires: Maria Bwakira, Rwanda in-country director; Alaine Uwambaye, accountant; and Kathi Christensen, director of U.S. operations. 

We are also searching the world over for a Head of School for the Gashora Girls Academy.  We would greatly appreciate your suggestions or referrals.  To help us find the perfect candidate for this role, please read our posting.