The Maranyundo Initiative began when a Rwandan and two Bostonian women met at a conference at Harvard University in 2000. Together, with an expanded group of Rwandans and Americans, they decided to build a school for 180 talented, underserved girls in Bugesera—a region devastated by the 1994 genocide and chronically affected by drought, disease and poverty.

The Maranyundo Initiative is committed to providing rigorous, but innovative academics to the girls, training programs for Rwandan teachers and Principals and community outreach including microfinance and English language learning. This important work takes place on a campus that has classrooms, a science laboratory, computer room, library, dining hall, student dormitories and faculty housing. All surround the heart of the campus, an African oval, the traditional place for gathering, exchanging ideas, learning from the past and imagining Rwanda’s bright future.

A woman from Manhattan with a commitment to social justice dreamed of building a village for 500 orphans left traumatized by the genocide. Based on the Yemin Orde Youth Village model, and together with the Jewish Joint Distribution Committee in New York City, she created the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village. They chose a large, hilltop site with views of distant lakes, views that would inspire open minds in the young villagers.

Construction began in 2007 for 32 children’s houses as well as their school, wellness center, dining hall, bakery, farm and playing fields. In December, 2008, 125 wide-eyed children arrived at their new home, ready to restore the rhythm to their lives. The dream is now fast becoming a reality.

Two Seattle women visited Rwanda and now have a vision of furthering girls’ education and of promoting community activities. They are building a secondary school for 270 girls with a strong focus on leadership, technology, hospitality and agriculture. The local community around the school will share the new, large community center, agricultural demonstration gardens and playing fields.

Together these groups will form close ties that will foster the success in this area and in Rwanda. With US support from an international architectural firm and Washington State University, as well as from the Rwandan Government, the project is now underway. The Rwandan architectural team is in place and ready to break ground the Summer of 2009. The interest and enthusiasm generated on both sides of the Atlantic will help to carry the Rwanda Girls Initiative along in record time.