Blog Archive
How to Exist in Ambiguity – and Make It Work
We, as a team have to boldly move forward in spaces that we don’t always have the answers for. We have to try new ways to deliver business education and in turn, new ways to run our ownership model for these businesses.
A Real Sign of Success
I stood back and realized that this was the best thing that could happen – the women were now better at baking than I was. The women were teaching me how to make bread! If this isn’t a sign of success, I don’t know what is. And it is a testament to both the women and our incredible TWB team.
From Rwanda to Denver and Back: Ideas Across Continents
Like the individual bakeries and trained women, TWB as an organization benefits from collaboration, building and exchanging ideas across countries and models.
Real Impact on Women
Through working at a bakery, our hope is that women can build and invest in social networks to prevent future violence. We have installed my position of Bakery Operations Manager (BOM) to serve as much more to the women – a leader, a counselor, and a mentor – with the hope that women have a safe place to discuss challenges they face in society.
Bread & Made in Rwanda
The Women’s Bakery’s work in Rwanda aligns with the economic priorities set forth by the country. Because we are enabling individuals to enter the workforce with skills and knowledge for product made for (and by) Rwandans, “Made in Rwanda” is at the center of our model.
Global Health Corps Fellowship with TWB
Now, as Nutrition Coordinator for The Women’s Bakery, I am working on nutrition and health programming at bakeries in Kigali and beyond. I am so enthusiastic to see the impact The Women’s Bakery is having in the communities of which we work.
Trip to Bukoba
Last week, the TWB team went to Tanzania where we conducted a baseline survey to a group of women in Bukoba who went through our pilot training in 2015. This survey was completed to receive updates on the economic and social situations of these past graduates.
Education Must Matter
At The Women’s Bakery, education is the foundation for all that we do. We believe that a foundational education, one that can be applied in real, practical ways, can lend opportunities for gainful, sustainable employment, and opportunities for health.
What Do We Do With the Data?
Behind the scenes at The Women’s Bakery, we have been working hard to collect data to help inform and grow our programming.
Here's Why
What stood out about TWB was that their model is focused on creating long-lasting opportunities for women through training in a specific skill, while building and maintaining strong social and professional relationships with the women they train. The TWB team is genuinely interested in the success of each women in their program. Here’s why. Instead of turning to historical “Band-Aid” approaches of development, TWB offers opportunities for women to transform their lives.
Fresh Beets & Carrots for TWB Gardens
At TWB, we are hoping to implement bakery gardens at all sites where fresh vegetables can be the harvested and used directly for their baked goods.
TWB's Next Big Ad(venture)
TWB inspires hope wherever they go. I am excited to be a part of that energy and positive momentum in Denver. Our program will provide opportunities for women to thrive in the United States, learning tangible, marketable skills, while building and strengthening essential social networks.
Growth & Reflection
The story of TWB, in its entirety, includes the courage and the bold persistence of others.
Knowledge Gained & Life Long Connections
Without question, I have expanded my knowledge while with TWB, and even better, have formed lifelong connections. I have always had a team there to support me. It is a great pleasure to work with women by giving the opportunity for all of us to empower each other in our regional community and all over the world.
Cooperative Women
Though, the cooperative model is something that our groups of women are used to – developing this into a business model takes time, but it’s happening.
Why I Support TWB
Finally, I support TWB because they support empathy, that is, the ability to see, feel, hear, know, and care for one another, through a shared human experience.
Communities Do Not Exist Alone
The Women’s Bakery does not exists on its own. What makes us strong is the communities that believe in our work and support our efforts around the world.
From Learners to Creative, Confident Professionals
I cannot sum up in words how much pride I have for these women.
From Pottery to Bakery
This week, our trainer, Aime, took some time to sit with one of the trainees, Esperance, and discuss what it feels like to be in this training.
Leadership & Self-Confidence
Together, leadership and self-confidence are powerful. They are outcomes from a bakery that is producing bread – and also, a dynamite, women-led work-force. That’s #breadpower.