Blog Archive
Transcending Culture
"Baking, however, is something that transcends culture and language. It’s something that needs only showing, no telling, to share the activity." - TWB Intern, Emily Sturtavant
Why Bread for Breakfast?
Here is the good news - when you take TWB breads for breakfast you are assured that you have eaten a healthful breakfast option. TWB breads are nutritious breads, made using locally available products, and are sold at an affordable price.
What Cows Taught Me About Exclusion
Thank you to our women in Remera who have shown me over the last few weeks how to stand up to those who don’t include others. We need your strength today and everyday.
TWB's Pilot Campus Chapter
Alayna Davis, TWB A&M President, shares about TWB's pilot campus chapter at Texas A&M University. Starting off as a small group of officers, brainstorming what a TWB campus chapter would look like, TWB A&M is now a thriving organization with over 40 members who love and believe in The Women’s Bakery’s mission and vision!
"If You Look, You Will Go Far"
As a woman who has experienced empowerment myself, working with women who need to be empowered is my dream. The opportunity to work with The Women’s Bakery in Rwanda has been truly incredible, and I am able to take part in my dream job.
Interning with Team TWB
"Working with this team, I have learned that even incremental, positive change is a step in the right direction. Working with women to develop a social-enterprise that provides sustainable employment opportunities for women has the tremendous potential for impact in developing countries, especially in East Africa."
Healthy Bakers = Happy Bakers
In Remera, Kigali part of the benefit package for the women working in the bakery is Mutuelle coverage for their whole families. Last week, women were provided funds to sign-up their families. For approximately $160, we were able to insure eight women and their families.
Giving Dough: Giving Tuesday 2016
This year, we aim to raise $25,000 on Giving Tuesday to support our Bakery in a Box Model. Simply put, $25,000 enables us to partner with, train, support, and launch a bakery with a group of 15-20 women and men.
Third Time's A Charm
On Tuesday our Training Facilitators, Aime and Denyse, rolled (no pun intended) into training at the Togetherness Co-op in Ndera, Gasabo District (about 45 minutes outside Kigali). Thanks to the sponsorship of our hiring partner African Road, 12 women and 4 men will be trained over the next few months. This marks our third official training in Rwanda!
Bread, Hands & Flying Money!
At a small-business expo in the Western Province of Rwanda, TWB won THIRD place for our show-case of nutritious bread products. Bread Power. It's a real thing.
Partnering with Sophie & the U.S. Peace Corps
Get a behind-the-scenes look at our newest partnership, with the U.S. Peace Corps. This partnership was facilitated by Peace Corps Volunteer, Sophie Hart. Following the launch of the new bakery, TWB spoke with Sophie about her experiences with the program and how she believes the community bakery can provide both education and economic opportunity for all.
Inspiration.
One of our long-time supporters, Kathryn Melton, shares why TWB inspires her - and why she continues to believe in the work we are doing right now in Rwanda, Tanzania, and beyond.
One month may change your life!
One of the trainees Vestine Uwizeyimana said, “I didn’t believe that after only one month I could get all the skills and knowledge I have now, especially in baking. I am really grateful for The Women’s Bakery team who has brought this opportunity in Rutsiro.”
Who is Denyse? Oh-la-la!
Denyse Uwineza is a young Rwandan woman who works with The Women's Bakery as a Training Facilitator. Most recently, she finished her first training facilitation at Bumba-Rutsiro, with a group of 20 women.
This week, she offered her time to speak with us about her life after work.
Who Educated You?
Ann Pollina reminded us that what we learned in the classroom was a gift we should share with the world - holding us to the highest expectation that we could solve some of the world’s biggest challenges
Together, women and men, we rise.
When women and men are able to work side by side in a bakery, equality begins to take shape. Women – and men- are equally capable in kneading dough, in marketing products, and in tracking inventory. Identifying areas of gender inequity and previous assumptions based on gender, TWB actively is seeking to empower women – which in turn, empowers us all.
Hitting Our Stride
Our model WORKS. And the Remera bakery is the success-story proof. TWB has been shaped and refined and redirected by a series of learning experiences and by the tireless commitment, grit and brilliance of our team. And now we’re hitting our stride – get ready Rwanda.
What I learned from The Blue Sweater
While The Women’s Bakery is just starting its journey, we already have long lists of lessons learned. And, if we have one, two, or ten failures, it doesn’t mean we have to stop building.
Achieving Goals!
Our women are so committed and self-determined to secure long awaited growth, not just for themselves but for their families and this country.
Bridging Cultures
As The Women’s Bakery continues to develop its primary goal of empowering women, it will also provide a means to share cultures and create friendships like it already has for me.