February 27:We were greeted with the sounds of joyful singing & clapping and invited to dance as we entered the gates of True Vineyard Ministries in Musanse to see a project called Bake the Cycle, a partnership with World Relief. The project provides ten mothers, most of them widows with incredible testimony of survival from genocide, rape and disease, with an opportunity to improve their lives and the lives by learning housing and new life skills. Begun in 2008, the project includes the building of The Bread of Life Bakery and the acquisition of land, sheep and supplies for a wool project. We were able to watch bread making in a solar oven, spinning of wool, basket weaving and rug-making. Each of the women -- Veronica, Domina, Saveline, Alphonsine, Catherine, Virginee, Alivera, Odette, Adera and Faina -- has been powerfully transformed by the friendship and opportunities provided by True Vineyard Ministries. Virginee, pictured with Ruth Martin, is now teaching several of the others widows to read and write.
Following lunch we visited clients at URWEGO Opportunity Bank (UOB). UOB is a unique institution that is helping to transform the lives of thousands of vulnerable women (90%) and men with small, medium and mid-size loans (just under commercial) to start and expand small businesses. We met with members of the "Umuzabibu W'Ukuri" Association who shared about their businesses, sucesses and hardships. A visit to see the market shops of three clients was inspiring! Pictured here is Nancy Green with UOB client, Nancy, who just received her first loan to start a tailoring business. 
When ended our day with dinner and a restful sleep at Ishema Guest House to prepare for gorilla treking on Saturday!
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