The ties that bind us

Reviewing contracts is a universally UNFUN experience

Jeanne and the architect developing layout for the school

Rwandanese legalese

Most business agreements in Rwanda have been based on handshakes and trust. But as Rwanda has begun to develop a formal economy a legal system is formalizing as well. So in keeping where Rwanda is headed, Bpeace has asked Jeanne and Sylvie to participate in a legal agreement as we venture together in the school. We want to ensure everyone’s role is clear with accountability and ramifications even clearer.

And indeed the conversation to review the draft agreement was uncomfortable for Jeanne and Sylvie! Rwanda’s business people are not familiar with legal documents. But both understood the importance of a binding agreement and we plowed forward through the prickly discussion. There is camaraderie between all of us and having to talk about things like “what to do if an irresolvable conflict arises” felt jarring and out of place. We laughed when it was over and quickly moved on to a more important topic . . .what to wear to the photo session on Thursday (more on that later in the week).

Laying a milestone

The reward for all the legal talk was time with the architect who arrived to help us design the layout of the space and determine what improvements are needed. It all seemed to come together easily. Downstairs will be the classroom and demonstration stations. The upstairs will be the office. We added a wall to create a small store. The main problem is that the upstairs space is all windows and gets so hot it’s unbearable. More windows that open, shades and a cooling type of insulation were suggested to ensure it is comfortable, and the architect will put a bid together. A rough floor plan felt like such a milestone!

Making people better

Flushed with progress, Barbara and Susan headed to town for some much needed Rwandan craft shopping and lattes. On the way we dropped Sylvie at her salon and learned that she used to be a nurse. Now Sylvie is probably one of the most successful businesswomen in Kigali. She owns a salon, a children’s store, and an amusement park. We suddenly understood why she can manage to make time to start a non-profit school for orphans. She has both an entrepreneurial spirit and the compassion it takes to make a difference. And it’s the Bpeace model at work. Successful businesswomen making peace. She rocks.

Tomorrow we await with great anticipation and will spend the evening prepping for it. We're planning an extensive brainstorming session to identify the perfect name and a platform for the logo designers in the US to start working on.