Rwanda, Africa’s most densely populated country (over 11 million
people living in an area slightly smaller than the state of
Maryland), is continuing a long journey to healing the scars
left by one of the worst genocides in modern history. Rwanda
faces many challenges. It is a poor rural country with about 90%
of the population engaged in mainly subsistence agriculture as
well as some mineral and agro-processing. The population is very
youngwith over 42% of its citizens under the age of 14. The life
expectancy is low, currently at 58 years old. But one thing
Rwanda does not lack is hope. The country has no shortage of
friends around the world working to improve the country’s
status. Two organizations, half a world away in Seattle,
Washington, illustrate how the world community is supporting
Rwanda in its quest to lay the foundation for a better future.
Addressing Gender Equality Rwanda Girls Initiative was created
by two Seattle women, Suzanne Sinegal McGill and Shalisan
Foster. It is focused on providing sec