Imbuto Foundation: 10 years of changing lives

First Lady Mrs Jeannette Kagame and the Minister of Health Dr Agnes Binagwaho (L) applaud during the 10th Anniversary of Imbuto Foundation on Thursday.

For the last decade Imbuto Foundation has provided education scholarships to 6,000 students, and rewarded 5,000 girls for outstanding performance in national exams, official from the organisation said. The organisation has also provided direct support to 218,500 beneficiaries with 200,000 of them receiving health insurance, Mutuelle de Sante. During celebrations to mark the charity organisation’s 10 year anniversary it was also revealed that Imbuto Foundation has also helped 355 vulnerable families set up income-generating activities to lift themselves out of poverty. While another 7,500 beneficiaries have participated in the organisation’s youth forum series. Honoree Muhabwimana, one of the beneficiaries from Musanze District, hailed Imbuto for supporting her through difficult times after she was diagnosed with HIV/Aids. “I joined the Family Package of Imbuto Foundation after living a desperate life. I am now healthy and living a better life after getting comprehensive care consisting of counselling and psychosocial support.” Thursday evening was a time to celebrate ten years of engaging, educating and empowering the youth and Rwandan families. The organisation, founded by the First Lady, Jeannette Kagame, started with a belief in the right to equal opportunity and a dignified life, its leaders said. Initially known as Protection and Care of Families against HIV/Aids (Pacfa), the organisation changed to Imbuto Foundation five years after its establishment, with additional programmes. “Imbuto” is a Kinyarwanda word for “seed” Speaking at the colourful event, Mrs Kagame hailed everybody who supported and inspired Imbuto Foundation’s Journey which she said was an exciting expedition. “We have grown from strength to strength during these last 10 years and this gift, ability to grow and blossom was patiently and consciously inspired by all of you whom I consider as the friends of Imbuto Foundation,” she stated. “We thank the people who have believed in us, worked and supported us throughout this exciting journey. You never gave up hope and lowered your aspirations.” Mrs Kagame said; “You kept aiming higher and demanding more and you realised that every journey begins with the first step. We are grateful and privileged to have had your invaluable inputs from what I call the conception and the delivery of PACFA to its joyous rebirth of Imbuto Foundation.” The First Lady noted that the true results will be achieved in the years to come when the children who have been educated, engaged and empowered by Imbuto grow from seeds into fruits. “Our ultimate satisfaction comes when we stand with dignified young Rwandans together with their compatriots to form a strong and proud nation Rwanda.” Mrs Kagame highlighted the birth and the journey of Imbuto Foundation since 2001. “ I remember in 2001 I teamed up with key national and international partners to consult on what part I could play in the fight against HIV/Aids because by that time the incidence of HIV was very high at around 15 percent.” She said the partnership grew strong through working with all the stakeholders like the education sector, local leaders, brilliant girls and boys from disadvantaged families who lacked the means to complete their education and eventually were sponsored by Imbuto. “If we are going to strive for the nation of empowered and dignified young Rwandans we have to start with making sure that the seeds we plant are well nourished through coaching, mentoring and good parenting,” she said. “The willingness to work with us is humbling and encouraging, my heartfelt appreciation goes to the beneficiaries of our programmes who inspired us daily and we are happy to have had beneficiaries who assured us that what we are doing is great.” “It’s watching you that gives us the most inspiration and assurances that you are on the right track.” “The road may be tough as we progress but the years behind us have enriched, motivated and showed us that it is possible with faith, passion and perseverance and they have taught us that with true partnerships we can accomplish much and they have certainly fortified our resolve to make the last impact.” The high level function was graced by senior government officials, the youth, business community and some of the foundation’s beneficiaries. Diana L. Ofwona, the Regional Representative UN Women Office for Central Africa, said, “Our partners have been privileged and feel very honoured to have walked this walk with PACFA and Imbuto Foundation for the past decade and we thank you First Lady for this initiative.” Ofwona gave an account of how Mrs Kagame outlined her vision of fighting against the HIV/ Aids scourge in 2001 before starting PACFA and later Imbuto Foundation. At the event the guests were treated to a thrilling performance from Mashirika Arts.

Ni Nyampinga

“Ni Nyampinga”, a locally produced Rwandan youth brand, aims at inspiring adolescent girls to reach their full potential and enable them to have self belief and make good decisions for themselves in pleasurable, interesting and interactive ways.

“Ni Nyampinga” was launched on November 2, last year, in an event that attracted not only young girls, but also entertainers and journalists from across the country.
The brand consists of a free bi-monthly magazine and a weekly radio show, each designed to deliver all the information a girl needs to make the most of her teenage years, while at the same time giving her greater voice, visibility and value within society. 
The launch was organised by Girl Hub, a joint venture between the Nike Foundation and the UK’s Department for International Development.
The event mirrored the G (irls) 20 Summit, which was recently held in Paris and attended by girls from the G20 nations of the world and two girls from Rwanda.
The debate encompassed what it takes to become a “Nyampinga”, (Miss) –; a well rounded girl who dreams big, accomplishes her dreams and unleashes the girl effect: the unique potential of adolescent girls to end poverty among themselves and the world. 
Adding energy to the event was pop star Miss Jojo, who participated in the debate.
The magazine covers topics such as Rwandan culture, health, English development and economic empowerment, while also sharing stories and advice from inspirational role models and providing fun ways to share experiences. 
The radio programme is produced by Search for Common Ground Rwanda and hosted by a team of Rwandan female journalists, who create shows about the issues that matter most to them and their peers.
“This is the time for girls to not just dream big and plan for their futures but also equip themselves with the tools to make it happen,” Brand Manager for GirlHub’s Rwanda office, Jessica Thornley, explained.
“We believe the magazine and the radio programmes will be great motivators for girls, give girls greater voice, while also having a positive impact on their parents and brothers,” she added.
Allan Karakire, a former member of the Diaspora, noted that the road show was a great experience that gave him an opportunity to visit some parts of the country he had never been before.
“I was approached by people of Girl Hub to document what they were doing and my role was to capture the behind-the-scenes of the birth of “Ni Nyampinga,” Karakire, said.
He recounted that: “…so whether it was filming the first copies of the magazine coming fresh out of the printer, filming the girls in the studio, the actual day of the launch and then eventually going on a road show around the country to promote “Ni Nyampinga”, all of it was an amazing experience!”
 “I remember when we did the road show, I would see those girls whenever they would hold the magazine, they would be so happy. And to see them read the magazine, their eyes would light-up because finally there is something that they can read and relate to,” Karakire added.
Apart from filmmaking, Karakire is a radio presenter, famous for his show called “Diaspora Corner” on Radio 10. He is also in the process of writing TV shows.

Angerer wins Best Women's Player award

Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer is the inaugural winner of the UEFA Best Women's Player in Europe Award for the season 2012/13 after topping the journalists' vote.

Angerer, who will start her professional career in the United States next year, topped Germany teammate Lena Goessling and Swedish forward Lotta Schelin.
Angerer saved two penalties in the 2013 European Championship final in July, helping Germany defeat Norway 1-0.
The 34-year-old goalkeeper will play in Australia for Brisbane Roar before joining a U.S. team in the National Women's Soccer League.
Angerer says "it's not official yet which team I will play for, but I will start 2014 in the U.S."
She won the UEFA award in a vote of journalists from a 10-player shortlist created by coaches from Euro 2013 and women's Champions League teams

A day in the life of the Queen

Some are public duties, such as ceremonies, receptions and visits within the United Kingdom or abroad.

The Queen's working day begins like many people's - at her desk.
After scanning the daily British newspapers, The Queen reviews her correspondence.
Every day, 200-300 (and sometimes many more) letters from the public arrive. The Queen chooses a selection to read herself and tells members of her staff how she would like them to be answered.
This enables Her Majesty personally to see a typical cross-section of her daily correspondence. Virtually every letter is answered by staff in her Private Secretary's office or by a lady-in-waiting.
The Queen will then see, separately, two of her Private Secretaries with the daily quota of official papers and documents. This process takes upwards of an hour.
Every day of every year, wherever she is, The Queen receives from government ministers, and from her representatives in the Commonwealth and foreign countries, information in the form of policy papers, Cabinet documents, telegrams, letters and other State papers.
These are sent up to her by the Private Secretaries in the famous 'red boxes'. All of these papers have to be read and, where necessary, approved and signed.
A series of official meetings or 'audiences' will often follow. The Queen will see a number of important people.
These include overseas ambassadors and high commissioners, newly appointed British ambassadors, senior members of the British and Commonwealth Armed Forces on their appointment and retirement, and English bishops and judges on their appointment.
Each meeting usually lasts 10 to 20 minutes, and usually The Queen and her visitor meet alone.
The Queen may also meet a number of people who have won prizes or awards in a variety of fields such as literature or science, to present them individually with their prize.
If there is an Investiture - a ceremony for the presentation of honours and decorations - it begins at 11.00am and lasts just over an hour. The Queen usually meets around 100 people at each Investiture to present Orders, decorations and medals.
The Queen will often lunch privately. Every few months, she and The Duke of Edinburgh will invite a dozen guests from a wide variety of backgrounds to an informal lunch. Occasionally, the guest list may consist of far fewer people, such as a newly appointed or retiring Governor-General and their guest.
If The Queen is spending the morning on engagements away from her desk and other commitments, she will visit up to three venues before lunch, either alone or jointly with The Duke of Edinburgh.
On a regional visit, The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh lunch with a wide variety of people in places ranging from town halls to hospitals.

Knowless to launch new album on Women’s Day

“As a female singer, it will be a good day to spread my message which calls on women to engage in development,” says Knowles.

Local artiste Knowless will perform with other female artists in a concert to celebrate International Women’s Day. The concert, which will take place at the Kigali Serena Hotel, is slated for 8th of March.

“On this day I will also launch my album ‘Uwondiwe’.  I released it last Christmas but will be officially launching it day” she told The New Times.

Knowless said that since the concert will be on Women’s Day, the majority of the other acts will be female.

In her album fans will find ten tracks which include songs like Wari uri he, Nzaba mpari, Nkoraho, Mfite icyizere, Sinzakwibagirwa.

Oprah Winfrey regains crown as Forbes most powerful celebrity

Oprah Winfrey has been named Forbes most powerful celebrity, heading a list of six women and four men in the top 10.

Everyone should know this by now: Never count Oprah out. Despite business stumbles and an $88 million earnings drop since last year, Oprah Winfrey returns to the top of Forbes’ annual Celebrity 100 ranking of the most powerful celebrities after two years in second place. She leads a female-dominated top 10 that includes Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Madonna, Taylor Swift and Ellen DeGeneres

Even without her eponymous daytime talk show, Winfrey made an estimated $77 million between June 2012 and June 2013, down from last year’s $165 million. While she wasn’t the highest earner on our list, her money, mixed with strong fame scores in metrics like press mentions and social networking power, pushed her to the top.
Winfrey remains a powerful force in Hollywood. Her Oprah Winfrey Network, once a drifting cable outpost that lost an estimated $330 million for parent company Discovery between 2008 and the end of 2012, is now a smoothish-running media machine that could turn a profit by the end of 2013.

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Serena Williams Wins The 2013 Women’s US Open

She did it! In an intense rematch of last year’s US Open final, Serena defeated Victoria to win her 17th Grand Slam title!

No. 1 seed Serena Williams defeated No. 2 seed Victoria Azarenka, 7-5, 6-7 (6-8), 6-1, to win the 2013 U.S. Open championship. It's the fifth U.S. Open title of her career and her second in a row.
Azarenka got off to an early lead in the first set, matching Williams blow-for-blow and trying to frustrate the American. Williams fought back though, using her trademark aggression and pinpoint accuracy to overwhelm the Belarusian. Williams converted a late break chance to win the set, 7-5.
In the second set, Williams showed off the same dominance we've come to expect in this tournament, burying Azarenka with multiple aces and powerful winners. Azarenka did herself no favors, hitting two double faults in a row to lose serve and go down 4-1 in the set.
Azarenka mounted a comeback, breaking Williams twice to get to 5-5, but was unable to hold her own serve on the next game. Williams, now up 6-5, missed the chance to win the match, dropping her own serve with a double fault to send the set to a tiebreaker. Azarenka battled to win the tiebreaker, 8-6, to force a third set while Williams looked visibly frustrated.
In the third set, Azarenka continued to make mistakes, with Williams jumping out to a 4-1 lead. She went on to finish off her opponent in dominant fashion in the final set, 6-1, and secured the title after a marathon match that took nearly three hours.
Williams is now 17-4 in Grand Slam final matches and took home her second slam title of the year. She previously won the 2013 championship at Roland Garros, better known as the French Open. Though she beat Williams in the final of the Cincinnati Open, a U.S. Open warm up, just a couple weeks ago, Azarenka has yet to defeat Williams in a Grand Slam match, now falling to 0-8 in her career.