camera_rwanda
Sister Virgini
It's only 11:30 in the afternoon when Jen (friend and translator) and I arrive at the Medecins Sans Frontieres office in the heart of Remera. There we were, waiting for Virgini to appear...and appear she did, arms flung out wide in exuberance. As she moved in for a warm embrace, I saw the big bold hearts cut out of her dress sleeves. I was having a rough day, 3 hours of sleep, overworked, and totally exhausted...But the moment Virgini flashed that smile, and I saw those hearts, the tic-tac-toe print, and little Gigi slurping in her mother's arms, I forgot my grumpy mood and let this crazy sister take me in.
That's Mama Gigi for you, encouraging us all to see the light! One second with her and you know you're in the presence of a shining spirit.
This photograph is very important to me. It's proof that one woman can take the lessons of a painful past and do something constructive with them. What is Virgini doing behind the gates of this NGO? Well, this afternoon, she's teaching other women about AIDS prevention. Gigi in her arms, Virgini will share her wisdom with 4 women from Kinombe, a village a few kilometers from Remera. Her students are lucky to get the message from a woman who's been there in the past, but is determined to point herself, her family, and her sisters in a different direction.
After I snapped this photo, Virgini, Gigi, Jen, and I spent an hour together laughing and taking more photographs of her walking through her neighborhood. That's Virgini for you, generous, inspiring, all heart--sans frontieres.
This image was taken for a not-for-profit that has changed its named, focus, and mission to KEZA.
Official Statement on Name Change
"Sisters of Rwanda has been in operation in Rwanda for 2.5 years. Our original mission was to “ensure justice, equality and economic opportunities for Rwanda’s most vulnerable women”. Over the years we have learned better how to serve this amazing country and the people that dwell within it. We came here to listen and to learn, and as part of the natural maturation of our organization, we have grown into KEZA. Simply put, KEZA is the result of a 2.5 year pilot project called Sisters of Rwanda. “KEZA is a people-inspired luxury fashion house based in Rwanda. We buy top quality fashion goods from non-profit development organizations, generate income for the poor and help to establish Africa’s position in the luxury fashion industry.”
We still work with the very same 43 women that helped build Sisters of Rwanda. And our vision has only strengthened and become more strategic. Sisters of Rwanda has grown up, and we are proud to present KEZA to the world. Welcome to KEZA, “Where ‘they’ become ‘we’”. "
Remera, Kigali.
Rwanda. Central Africa.
October 2, 2006.
For Sisters of Rwanda
"Sisters of Rwanda is a non-profit organization focused on women who make their living as a commercial sex worker, and/or have been sexually abused. Our purpose is to provide these vulnerable girls with a sustainable income and life/business skills that will ensure a better quality of life for them and their families."
Please do not blog or use any of the photographs from the Sisters of Rwanda series. Thank you.
Sister Virgini
It's only 11:30 in the afternoon when Jen (friend and translator) and I arrive at the Medecins Sans Frontieres office in the heart of Remera. There we were, waiting for Virgini to appear...and appear she did, arms flung out wide in exuberance. As she moved in for a warm embrace, I saw the big bold hearts cut out of her dress sleeves. I was having a rough day, 3 hours of sleep, overworked, and totally exhausted...But the moment Virgini flashed that smile, and I saw those hearts, the tic-tac-toe print, and little Gigi slurping in her mother's arms, I forgot my grumpy mood and let this crazy sister take me in.
That's Mama Gigi for you, encouraging us all to see the light! One second with her and you know you're in the presence of a shining spirit.
This photograph is very important to me. It's proof that one woman can take the lessons of a painful past and do something constructive with them. What is Virgini doing behind the gates of this NGO? Well, this afternoon, she's teaching other women about AIDS prevention. Gigi in her arms, Virgini will share her wisdom with 4 women from Kinombe, a village a few kilometers from Remera. Her students are lucky to get the message from a woman who's been there in the past, but is determined to point herself, her family, and her sisters in a different direction.
After I snapped this photo, Virgini, Gigi, Jen, and I spent an hour together laughing and taking more photographs of her walking through her neighborhood. That's Virgini for you, generous, inspiring, all heart--sans frontieres.
This image was taken for a not-for-profit that has changed its named, focus, and mission to KEZA.
Official Statement on Name Change
"Sisters of Rwanda has been in operation in Rwanda for 2.5 years. Our original mission was to “ensure justice, equality and economic opportunities for Rwanda’s most vulnerable women”. Over the years we have learned better how to serve this amazing country and the people that dwell within it. We came here to listen and to learn, and as part of the natural maturation of our organization, we have grown into KEZA. Simply put, KEZA is the result of a 2.5 year pilot project called Sisters of Rwanda. “KEZA is a people-inspired luxury fashion house based in Rwanda. We buy top quality fashion goods from non-profit development organizations, generate income for the poor and help to establish Africa’s position in the luxury fashion industry.”
We still work with the very same 43 women that helped build Sisters of Rwanda. And our vision has only strengthened and become more strategic. Sisters of Rwanda has grown up, and we are proud to present KEZA to the world. Welcome to KEZA, “Where ‘they’ become ‘we’”. "
Remera, Kigali.
Rwanda. Central Africa.
October 2, 2006.
For Sisters of Rwanda
"Sisters of Rwanda is a non-profit organization focused on women who make their living as a commercial sex worker, and/or have been sexually abused. Our purpose is to provide these vulnerable girls with a sustainable income and life/business skills that will ensure a better quality of life for them and their families."
Please do not blog or use any of the photographs from the Sisters of Rwanda series. Thank you.