ubushobozi project

Aline

Aline is one of our original Ubushobozi students and has been with us since the project’s inception in 2008. She’s a fun loving, hilarious and happy girl with a positive attitude. She may be the class clown, but Aline is very serious about her work and takes pride in being a seamstress and all things Ubushobozi. Aline is one of our top students and has been a project leader on several large goods orders which involved everything from creating the budget, purchasing materials, sewing to international shipping.

Born in 1993, Aline lives in the village of Gashingiro with her two sisters Diane and Olive. Diane is a member of the Ubushobozi dance troupe. Their parents are deceased.

“The project is so important for me because it has improved my life in ways that I cannot describe even in words. Without it, I don’t think I would be living.

I owe so much to this project, it is really important for me. It has helped increase my confidence and make me realize that I am able to change things. I would like to help other people in need just like the project has helped me.” Aline

Jeanne

Jeanne Siporin is a certified teacher in Elementary, Reading and Special Education. Jeanne has taught Special Education, Elementary Education, and Reading.

She was director/teacher for a non-profit preschool in upstate N.Y. Jeanne is currently working as a secondary Cultural Studies teacher and middle school Math and Drama teacher at an International School in Phuket, Thailand where she has lived for five years with her husband Alan.

After volunteering at another project in Rwanda in 2007, Jeanne saw the need for life skills education for adolescent girls. Jeanne started the Ubushobozi project in 2008 and serves on our Board of Directors.

Christine

Christine was accepted to Ubushobozi in 2009. She is self-motivated and determined to educate herself and work to support her family. She is an excellent seamstress and one of our top students. Christine excels in all areas at Ubushobozi. She has been a project leader on several large goods orders, which involved everything from creating the budget, purchasing materials, sewing, to international shipping. She has a great sense of humor and loves to make people laugh (especially the volunteers!). She loves to sing and dance. She lives in the village of Gashingiro with her mother. Her father died of an unknown illness. Sadly, Christine has also lost two siblings to illness.

“I had a bad life before joining this project, when I came here, I got paid and saw my life change. Today I am able to sustain myself but also my family and that has changed how I see myself. I now know that with opportunities people can work and improve their lives. My mother is also thankful because she has seen how the project has changed our life.” Christine

photo courtesy of Hands Up Holidays

Chantal

Chantal is one of our original Ubushobozi students. Like Aline, she has been with us since the project’s inception in 2008. Chantal loves being a seamstress and hopes to use her skill and training to continue to support herself. Chantal has been a project leader on several large goods orders which involved everything from creating the budget, purchasing materials, sewing to international shipping Born in 1992, Chantal lives in the village of Gashingiro with an elderly family friend, the beloved “Mama Chantal” who raised her from a very young age. Chantal has also helped to raise several orphaned babies in her village. Both of her parents are deceased. The causes of their deaths are unknown.

“Ever since I started being a part of Ubushobozi my life has improved a lot and as a result I feel more confident.

“The project is really important for me. I feel so much better, I am able to eat, buy clothes for myself and even some beauty products! It has really improved my life.” -Chantal

Beatrice

Beatrice was accepted to Ubushobozi in 2009. She is very outgoing, friendly and loves to sing. Beatrice shows up to work early and eager every day and has a smile that lights up the room! She is incredibly proud of the work that she and her peers are accomplishing at Ubushobozi. Beatrice is a born negotiator. She’s our top choice to do the daily food shopping for Ubushobozi at the market. She understands the value of a dollar (franc) and always stays within or below the budget. She also loves to talk to tourists and invite them to visit Ubushobozi. With her charm, it’s hard to for them to resist! Born in 1994, Beatrice lives with Ubushobozi student Jackie and her family. Beatrice’s parents are deceased.

“I feel so much better ever since I joined the project. I am independent and able to provide for myself and it makes me very optimistic about the future and what I can achieve.

This project has allowed me to eat, dress myself, help my family and so much more, in fact right now I can say that the project is my life.” - Béatrice

photo courtesy of Hands Up Holidays

Jeanine

Jeanine was accepted into Ubushobozi in 2009. Jeanine is very serious about becoming a successful seamstress so she can support her family and her baby son Tresor, to whom she is an excellent and devoted mother.

After the birth of Tresor in July 2010, she returned full-time to Ubushobozi. Thanks to the support of our staff and students, who pitch in to help with his care, Jeanine continues her studies. Born in 1993, Jeanine loves to sing and dance.

photo courtesy of Hands Up Holidays

Madarina

Madarina was accepted to Ubushobozi in 2009. Madarina has a smile on her face all day long. She is a happy, joyful girl who loves to sing and dance. She has proven herself to be a very hard worker. Born in 1993, she achieved four years of primary education. She lives in the village of Muhoza with her three younger sisters, younger brother and her mother. Unfortunately, her mother is currently ill and unable to work their land. Madarina uses some of her Ubushobozi earnings to hire a day laborer to work her mother's land so her mother may sell their vegetables at the market. Her father is deceased. His cause of death is unknown.

Uwineza Beatrice

Uwineza was accepted to Ubushobozi in 2009. She is generally shy and reserved, but play some music or drums and you will see Uwineza become larger than life! She is frequently the lead dancer in the Ubushobozi dance troupe. She is an excellent seamstress and can often be found assisting the other girls. Uwineza will not consider one of her bags or other items finished until it is perfect and “beautiful.” Uwineza is one our top students. She is very confident and eager to learn any and all new skills. She was born in 1998 and lives in Musanze with her older brother Theogene. With the helps of her earnings combined with his skill, Theogene is a vey successful farmer. Their parents are deceased. The causes of their deaths are unknown.

“I used to not have meals at night, I did not have money to buy soap or other necessary products but now I can. My family is very thankful for all the support and gifts we get from the project. Seeing my life change like this has made me more confident in what I can be able to do. Before the project I was in a very bad situation, but now I am doing so much better.” ��Uwineza

Uwingabire Jacky Gisèle

Gisele is our sewing teacher, project manager and housemother. She is a confidant to all the girls and is determined to help them improve their lives as well as her own. Giselse implemented a very successful savings plan for all of Ubushobozi (for which she too participates). Prior to Ubushobozi, Gisele worked as a seamstress in the market. She is happy and proud of the work at Ubushobozi and she wishes to continue to help advance the project. Watching Gisele become more confident and seize every opportunity to learn new banking, business and computer skills has been incredible. She is a chief in her village of Bucuzi, where she lives with her son and daughter.

Mukagatare Séeraphine

Seéraphine is Ubushobozi's English and general studies teacher. She is an incredible mentor and role model to our students. She is very respected by the students because they know that while she can be stern, she is very kind and always looking out for their best interest. Séraphine devotes her life to education and being of service to others. She is a full-time primary school teacher in Ruhengeri, teaches part-time at Ubushobozi and is a part-time university student in Congo where she is pursuing a bachelor's degree in social work. She just completed her first year of studies and passed all exams. Séraphine also teaches children's bible studies at her church where she is a very active member. Seraphine loves to crochet, sing and dance and can frequently be found leading the Ubushobozi girls in song. She lives with her family in Ruhengeri.

Jackie

Jackie was accepted to Ubushobozi in June 2010. Jackie has told us that she feels very optimistic about her future. Prior to Ubushobozi, Jackie had been selling potatoes in the market, which proved very unreliable as a source of income. She then began working as a farming day laborer but that too was unreliable. With her enrollment in Ubushobozi, Jackie is thrilled to have the opportunity to learn new skills and have a steady income. She is the sole income earner for her family. Born in 1991, Jackie lives in the village of Gohondogo with her beautiful daughter Diane, her mother and two younger siblings Noah and Valence. Their father is deceased.

“I came here when I was in a really bad situation, and coming here has improved my life and helped me solve some problems that my family had. I have a salary and this has helped provide for my family, increasing my confidence.

Ever since I have joined this project, I have been treated well and my family is better. We are learning how to sew but we are also provided with health insurance as well as our families. I am really thankful for this project and so is my family. I know how the project has helped me and I wish that it could do the same for other girls in need as well.”

Alan

Alan Siporin is permanently certified in Educational Administration and in Elementary Education. Alan has been an Elementary School teacher, Supervisor for a Migrant Education Program, Elementary School Principal, small business owner and operator.

Alan is currently director of an International School in Phuket, Thailand where he has lived for five years with his wife, Jeanne.

Alan became active in the Ubushobozi project in 2008, after visiting Rwanda. He continues his involvement as an advisor.

Susan

Susan Hudes is a painter, illustrator, designer and art director, born and raised in NYC. Her illustration and design work includes numerous magazines, CD covers and book covers. Design and Illustration clients include Henry Holt and Co, Sony Music, BMG music, Philadelphia Inquirer, cnn.com, and epicurious.com.

She designed and illustrated the Hudes Tarot for US Games, which has been translated and distributed worldwide.

Susan works as a freelance art director in advertising in addition to art directing sonicscoop.com. She is currently completing a graphic novel. Her work can be seen at www.susanhudes.com. Susan graduated from Parsons School of Design in NYC.

Muhire Fidèle

Fidèle is a successful independent Rwandan tour guide as well as our driver, translator and project supervisor. He also arranges visits to the Ubushobozi house for interested tourists. He speaks Kinyarwanda, English, French, Swahili and is currently studying Spanish. He is an extremely dedicated volunteer and advisor and is married to our accountant, Fidela.

Betsy

Betsy Todd has worked in the field of production music marketing and licensing for over a decade. She is a graduate of Montclair State University with a B.A. in Communications.

Betsy's volunteer efforts include animal rescue groups, women's shelters and homeless youth projects. She is active in the fundraising, marketing and promotion of the Ubushobozi Project.

Betsy joined Ubushobozi in 2009 after visiting Rwanda and serves on our Board of Directors. She lives in Brooklyn and Phoenicia, NY.

Laura

Laura Boyea has taught in various preschools in NY and Vermont. She holds a TEFL certificate and has been teaching Kindergarten in Phuket, Thailand for four years.

Laura volunteered in Rwanda for three months in 2007 and helped to start Ubushobozi Project in 2008. Laura has spent considerable time in Rwanda helping to establish and manage the project along with our team based there.

She has made many friends in Rwanda and will return in summer 2010 to implement some exciting new Ubushobozi projects. Laura continues to serve as an Ubushobozi advisor.

Dolinda

Dolinda Meeker holds her B.S. in Speech & Language Pathology from the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California. She has worked in the field of finance since relocating to New York in 2003.

Dolinda has consistently lent her time to charitable efforts over her career, including retirement community programs, Easter Seals, after school and recess enhancement programs and volunteer coaching for the Special Olympics and Girls for Gender Equity (GGE).

She became involved with the Ubushobozi Project after a trip to Rwanda in 2009 and serves on the Board of Directors. She is active in fundraising, marketing, corporate structuring and record keeping.

Marcy

Marcy Bright is a certified Special Education Administrator in upstate New York. Prior to that, Marcy was a Special Education teacher for 20 years.

After visiting Rwanda in 2009, Marcy became an active participant in the Ubushobozi project. She assisted in raising the initial funds in order to establish Ubushobozi and continues to fundraise and serve on our Board of Directors.

She is also a leader in a variety of other charitable organizations. She and her husband, Jerry, live in upstate N.Y. and enjoy snowshoeing, cooking, and traveling.

Maniragaba Marcel

Marcel is Ubushobozi's security guard, electrician and all around handyman. There is no job Marcel can't handle for us! He is married and has two beautiful sons. Marcel is also a very talented carpenter.

Umugwaneza Fidela

Fidela is Ubushobozi��s accountant and business skills teacher. She recently graduated from university with an accounting degree. Fidela is a very talented crafter and is part of the weaving program at Ubushobozi. She is married to Fid��le, our translator, and they have two beautiful children.

Gafaranga Faustin

A childhood friend of several of our students, Faustin brings his big, friendly smile and knowledge of gardening and farming to Ubushobozi. He and Mama Jeanine have cultivated a beautiful garden on our property. Prior to working at Ubushobozi, Faustin worked at a pre-school in his village. He is currently enrolled in automotive school, pursuing his dream of becoming an auto mechanic, and works part-time at Ubushobozi. Faustin lives with and supports his parents, who are very proud of him.

Tuyishimire Didier Kevin

Kevin's family owns an Internet café in Ruhengeri where he works as a technical assistant. He teaches computer and Internet studies at Ubushobozi to the students and staff. Kevin is also pop singer and was a recent recipient of a local talent award in Ruhengeri.

Kanyenga Ismail

Ismail's presence has brought so much happiness to Ubushobozi! He is a professional traditional Rwandan dance instructor. In addition to teaching our girls and staff this incredibly beautiful art, he teaches another group called, 'Batarembere.'

Nzumuremyi Patricie

Prior to Ubushobozi, Patricie worked intermittently as a day laborer on the farms of her neighbors. Now she has steady employment as the Ubushobozi housekeeper, cook, and assists in the garden. She is also a proud member of a brick-making cooperative.

Malyse Uwase

Malyse attends Bucknell University in Pennsylvania where she is pursuing a double major in International Relations and Women��s and Gender Studies. Malyse learned about Ubushobozi in July 2010 while interning at home in Rwanda with Women for Women International. She fell in love with Ubushobozi after visiting us over the course of two days, finding the girls to be funny, full of energy, kind, smart and strong. Malyse thinks Ubushobozi is an effective organization that gives the girls hope and the tools to achieve financial independence. Malyse is an exceptional translator and has become a true confidant to the girls. We are proud to have her as part of Ubushobozi.

Leigh Angel

Leigh is a New York City-based editor, writer and life-long crafter. For over a decade, she has worked in advertising and arts and educational publishing. Long before that, she dabbled in the needle arts at the knees of her grandmothers. Leigh has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Mars Hill College in Mars Hill, NC, and is #1 Teacher Crochet at the Ubushobozi Project since July 2011. She aspires to be #1 Teacher Knitting in 2012. Leigh also blogs about life, love and Ubushobozi at The Semicolon Advocate. ��

link for blog: http://leighangel.wordpress.com

Robin Crowell

Robin is co-owner of The World Artisan, A Fair Trade Shop and Gallery, in Potsdam, NY. Robin has an M.S.Ed. in training, instructional design and development and has worked with a variety of disadvantaged groups for the last 16 years including Alaskan natives, rural low-income, at-risk teenagers, and international groups. Robin currently serves as a tutor for ESL (English as a second language), speaks on the benefits of fair trade and owns two businesses. Robin also writes on issues in the fields of social justice, local food issues, parenting and gardening. In the past, she has been an educator in the fields of community health, HIV/AIDS, local food, women's health issues and resume/interviewing skills. She lives with her husband and two daughters in Canton, New York.

Sharon Damas

Sharon has been volunteering with us as a translator and mentor to the girls since June 2011. She was recommended to us by Malyse and has been instrumental in helping us develop the program. She is currently working toward her goal of attending university in the United States. Sharon believes very strongly in giving back to her community and is an advocate for youth empowerment. She is an extremely dedicated volunteer and we are proud of all her achievements.

Liza

After being recommended to us by our English teacher Seraphine, Liza joined Ubushobozi in July 2011. Born in 1997, Liza completed primary school level 4. Prior to Ubushobozi, she had been working as a live-in housekeeper and nanny for a local family. Liza��s parents are deceased, and she continues to live with the family and work for them part-time; they are very supportive of her enrollment in Ubushobozi. She has learned that she has a twin sister whose whereabouts are unknown, and Liza hopes to be reunited with her one day.

Kereniya

Kereniya joined Ubushobozi in July 2011. She was recommended to us by Ubushobozi student, Byukasenge Christine. Born in 1997, Kereniya completed primary school level 5, but, due to lack of fees, was unable to continue a traditional, formal education. She is a very hard worker and is excited to learn new skills, particularly weaving, sewing and English. She lives with her older sister, brother-in-law and their baby son. Her parents are deceased.

Margaret

Margaret joined Ubushobozi in May 2011. Her parents are deceased, and she had been living under extremely difficult circumstances. She suffered a life-threatening infection, which resulted in the partial amputation of her leg. A small network of nurses volunteering in Margaret��s hometown partnered to get her a prosthetic leg, allowing her to walk without crutches for the first time in years. Margaret is enrolled in Ubushobozi��s weaving program and is excelling. She is beginning to learn to read and write and loves dance and yoga. She has safe, permanent housing near Ubushobozi, where she lives with her baby son, Eric. She recently sold her first woven basket to visiting tourists. We are so proud!

Selme

Selme is the incredibly talented instructor of our new weaving program. Prior to Ubushobozi, Selme sold her products in town, but wasn��t making a steady income. She is very determined to train her students, including staff members Seraphine and Fidela, to produce beautiful, quality products. She and her husband have nine children. Selme��s dream is to learn English.