Miracle Corners - Local Change Through Global Exchange(TM)

MIRACLE CORNERS RWANDA (MCR)

Miracle Corners Rwanda (MCR) Background

In April 2007, MCW and Jacqueline Murekatete launched MCW's Jacqueline’s Human Rights Corner, as a partner initiative with MCW’s First Annual Commemorative Event on Rwandan Genocide at NYU. The new genocide prevention program aims to raise awareness of the crime of genocide in a wide-range of educational forums; and to help Rwandans rebuild their lives and their country. At the heart of this initiative is a vision of establishing an MCW community center in Rwanda, drawing on MCW’s experience and model in Tanzania and Sierra Leone.

In November, the Rwandan government granted MCW permission to work in Rwanda, marking the establishment of Miracle Corners Rwanda (MCR). This also marks the beginning of MCW’s, with the active and strong support of new and current friends and supporters, to begin to raise funds to build a center in the eastern province of Bugesera, a district highly affected by the 1994 genocide.

A year later, on November 15, construction began in Kayenzi, a rural village between Nyamata and Ntarama sectors,. Since then, MC-Rwanda Country Coordinator Jackson Vugayabagabo has overseen the center’s daily operations and the development of a wide range of social entrepreneurship programs, including IT training, an English language course, and a tailoring class.

MCR began its first program on October 5, 2010. 46 six students registered for and attended the first class, a six-month English course. A week later, MCR began a tailoring course with eleven students. In January, MCR partnered with a local seminary to offer English classes to 56 participants. The center also supports a youth group, with over fifty members, specializing in traditional dance and handicraft.

Recent Miracle Corners Rwanda (MCR) Activities

First MCW Learning Journey; MC-Rwanda holds Reception for US friends; 600 People Attend

News Release In the News Pictures

Read about Reception

MCW Raises Critical Funds for Genocide Prevention Work in USA and Rwanda in California

Victor Gruber, MCW Advisory Board member, hosted his 4th Annual West Coast fundraiser for MCW Jacqueline's Human Rights Corner at Mastro's Steakhouse in Costa Mesa California, where 40 friends gathered to learn about the MCR community center's progress in the past year. Nate Crossley, Director of Community Center Programs, gave an overview of the milestones over the past year including opening the center, electrifying the community center and surrounding homes and beginning English and Tailoring classes, a youth dance group, a handicraft program and a survivor's group. Leslee Brown, PhD spoke about how she hopes to bring a delegation to the MCR center to train community leaders in trauma counseling that will be provided to survivors of the genocide. Jacqueline Murekatete, shared her story, expressed how proud she was of the center's accomplishments and thanked all in attendance for their ongoing support. All proceeds raised from the event will go directly to support the work of MCW Jacqueline's Human Rights Corner as well as the Miracle Corners Rwanda (MCR) Community Center.