Dream of Former American Investment Banker Comes True as Historic Partnership is Created to Help Rwanda Recover From Horrors of Genocide
"Micro-finance has played a key role in building peace and reconciliation through trade as Rwanda continues to recover from the horrors of the genocide. Ten years ago, while others focused on relief work, we led with micro-finance activities, believing that was the best way to overcome poverty, instability and conflict in Rwanda."
(Rwanda)?According to a report in Mission Network News, the world's leading Christian organizations have announced a historic partnership by merging operations in Rwanda to open a micro-finance bank for the poor. The report states that the Urwego Opportunity Micro-finance Bank (UOMB) of Rwanda will open a new banking hall using state-of-the-art technology in early fall.
The unique partnership reportedly began with the dream of Dale Dawson, a former investment banker from Little Rock, Ark. and chairman of Opportunity International President's Council. The partnership is said to include World Relief, a Baltimore-based agency that specializes in rebuilding communities in the aftermath of war or natural disaster, World Relief Canada, and HOPE International, which have been financial partners in Urwego for several years.
"Micro-finance has played a key role in building peace and reconciliation through trade as Rwanda continues to recover from the horrors of the genocide," said Sammy Mah, president of World Relief. "Ten years ago, while others focused on relief work, we led with micro-finance activities, believing that was the best way to overcome poverty, instability and conflict in Rwanda."
Dr. Ephraim Kabaija, former chief of staff to President of Rwanda Paul Kagame and currently the President's advisor on rural development, explained the critical need for a bank that offers savings accounts to the Rwandan people. "Do you know how many children die in our country every year because their mothers cannot afford the $2 - $10 needed to buy medicines to treat diarrhea, fever, malaria and other common illnesses? Do you appreciate how much angst, misery and despair we could eliminate from our country if every family had $50 in a savings account?"
"The reason they don't have that is because they don't have a safe place to keep their money," said Dawson. "Our goal is to be able to offer every family in Rwanda a savings account, so they can save that $50 so we can give each family a safety cushion for their family needs."
Added Dawson: "You see the Church actively engaged...the churches are openly talking about their faith, but they're also talking about meeting people's needs and bringing people together to put faith in action."
