From: Warriordoc To: Rwanda Peacekeepers Subject: [rwandapeacekeepers] Progress Report on Building Rwanda's First Public Library Date: Sunday, October 14, 2001 7:08 PM October edition of the Kigali Library news... Subject: Progress Report on Building Rwanda's First Public Library FUNDS RAISED TO DATE: $400,000 in gifts and pledges OUR GOAL: $1.2 million to build Rwanda's first public library REBUILDING FROM THE ASHES The events of September 11 will be forever seared into the memories of the world, as proud symbols of freedom and success came crashing to the ground. Americans, shocked by the sudden, unprovoked terrorist attacks on their soil, are struggling with difficult questions - from where does the hatred come? Why are extremists able to organize and succeed in committing such extreme violent acts? How do we all prevent extremists from taking hold in underprivileged societies? Rwanda's history and drive to rid itself of violence can provide guidance to Americans in its time of uncertainty. Rwandans stand as evidence that human beings have the eternal capacity to rebuild, even when all that is left are the ashes. Rwandans know only too well the destruction of violence -- losing 1 million citizens (1/8 of its population) in the 1994 genocide. During the genocide, extremists in the government orchestrated the killing of innocent Rwandans in hopes of preserving their political control over this small corner of the world. When these extremists were finally driven from Rwanda, they left behind only the ashes, faint memories of a proud nation. The survivors lived in fear of more to come. The rescuers were faced with the impossible task of rebuilding from nothing. Since then, the current government of Rwanda has not choice but to spend rare resources and energy on providing security for its citizens. They have had to protect the country from rebels who continue to espouse extremist ideologies, who killed Western tourists in Uganda in 1999 and recently disrupted the tourism industry by engaging in attacks in the Rwanda's northwest. Meanwhile, concerned Rwandan and their friends wrestled with the question of how to create a country that does not foster violence. They asked themselves how they as private individuals could create a population from which extremists could no longer effectively recruit others because they could see no alternative. The answer, in part, can be found at the core of America's democracy -- the Free Library. The Free Library, introduced by Dale Carnegie, opened libraries to all citizens and became the glue that kept America's democracy in tact. A free public library in Rwanda will a window of opportunity for Rwandans and will be a force of moderation and non-violent change for Rwanda's young and future generations. In only one year this group of private individuals, under the leadership of the Rotary Club of Kigali-Virunga, proved to the world that one can rebuild from the ashes. On Tuesday, October 2 work officially began on Rwanda's first public library. The site is now being cleared for the excavation works and the perimeter fence is being put in place. Rwandans can now witness concrete progress being made on what many saw as an impossible dream - the country's first ever public library. Chairman of the building committee, Raaj Rajendran is to be commended on his efforts in securing sponsorship of the fence from Rwandan chemical and furniture company, the Ameki Group. The excavation and foundation works are being paid for with US$46,000 donated by the European Union. Says chairman of the Library Committee, Gerald Mpyisi: "We have come a long way since the days when we first discussed this project last year. We are so grateful to the many companies and individuals, Rwandese and internationally, who have invested in the future of this country by donating funds and books." The Rotary Club of Kigali-Virunga still needs financial support from around the world. It needs donations from those who see that an investment in the freedom of others, is an investment in one's own peace and stability. Please give generously to help build a Free Library in Rwanda and to help end Rwanda's cycle of violence -- HELP TURN TOOLS OF DESTRUCTION INTO TOOLS OF KNOWLEDGE! See below for information on how to donate to this exceptional project! AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE KIGALI PUBLIC LIBRARY Meanwhile, in the United States, the American Friends of the Kigali Public Library Association (AFKPL) is moving full speed ahead to raise funds for the new public library. The American Friends is an independent group that is dedicated to raising funds to build Rwanda's first public library and to supporting future library projects throughout the country of Rwanda. Those attending the most recent meetings of the American Friends on September 10 and October 7 included Americans, Rwandans, Danes and Dutch who are committed to helping to build the Kigali Public Library. At the meetings, members reviewed fundraising ideas, including soliciting the support of American universities, Rotary clubs, and potential high-profile donors, such as Laura Bush, Oprah Winfrey, and PEN. The group also formalized the structure of its organization to keep up with the growing number of members and the many projects it is are undertaking. The new Executive Board now includes six officers: Zach Kaufman, Chairman Grace Nkubana, Treasurer Michelle Trucker, Secretary Beth Payne, Legal Advisor Greg Nelson, Press Officer Janet Labuda, Grants Specialist At the meeting, Guillaume Kavaruganda, the First Secretary of the Embassy of Rwanda, pledged the support of the Embassy to help in any way it can. The chair, Zach Kaufman, legal advisor, Beth Payne, and treasurer, Grace Nkubana, are currently working to establish a bank account and to secure non-profit status for the Friends Association. Zach is working with Danes and Dutch to create Friends' Associations in those two countries. Together, these Friends Associations are committed to working with the Rotary Club of Kigali-Virunga to build Rwanda's first public library. The Friends Association welcomes new members from anywhere in the United States and will work with others to establish similar associations throughout the world. For more information contact Zach Kaufman at zachary.kaufman@aya.yale.edu. BENEFIT CONCERT -- SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3 Five expatriate musicians have generously offered their time and talents for a benefit concert that will be held at Maxim's nightclub at the Umubano Hotel in Kigali on Saturday, November 3. Tickets are 8,000 Rwandan francs per person and will include entrance and a buffet dinner. Doors open at 7:30pm and the concert will start at 8:30pm. If you are in Kigali don't miss the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! To purchase tickets, contact Alecia Lilly at the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International (mobile: 084-35058). OTHER FUNDRAISING EFFORTS The Kigali Public Library is well on its way to achieving its dream, with over $400 000 in cash, pledges and in-kind donations on the books. However, we are only a third of the way to the budgeted $1,2 million that is needed to complete this project. At a Library Committee meeting held on Monday October 1, a list of fundraising ideas was compiled for the period October 2001 to July 2002. The committee concentrated on ideas that would involve all Rwandans and which would sustain interest in the project. One of the ideas we will implement in July next year will be a Family Fun Day, with emphasis on children. We recognize that there are many ordinary Rwandans who want to be a part of this project but who simply do not have enough money to make a large dollar donation. July will be school holiday time - a perfect opportunity to entertain children and make them a part of their library at the same time. Watch this space for further details on upcoming fund raising events. HOW TO DONATE TO RWANDA'S FIRST PUBLIC LIBRARY Now that we are ready to begin building the library structure, we need everyone's contribution to ensure the work never stops. The cost of the first phase of the building is $1.2 million. Once the first phase is completed, and the library can be staffed, and filled with books, furnishings and equipment, the library will open to the public. A second phase is envisioned for expansion of the library if funds become available. We need your financial contribution now! Checks made out to the Rotary Club of Kigali-Virunga can be sent to: The Kigali Public Library c/o American Embassy Kigali 2210 Kigali Place Washington, DC 20521-2210 For those in Rwanda, checks or cash can be given to the Committee Bookkeeper, Ashley Truscott (08312888), or deposits can be made directly into the following Rwandan Franc account: BACAR -- Siege Social Kigali 20 Blvd de la Revolution BP 331 Kigali A/C 070-2702690-62-307 A/C Rotary Club of Kigali Virunga Dollar payments can be sent by wire transfer to: Citibank New York 111 Wall Street New York, NY A/C 36144591 SWIFT CITIUS33 A/C BACAR DETAILS: A/C 070-2702690-62-318 Rotary-Kigali Virunga (Make sure you specify that the funds are for the Rotary Club of Kigali-Virunga, Kigali Public Library project and email us that the funds have been transfer so we can properly thank you for your contribution!) U.S. Contributions for the Kigali Public Library can be made through the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund (DFGFI). These contributions are tax deductible in the U.S. since DFGFI is a registered non-profit organization. To make your contribution to the Kigali Public Library through DFGFI, please send a check or money order made out to "The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International". Please specify on the check that the contribution is for the "Public Library Campaign". Checks can be sent to: The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International 800 Cherokee Avenue, SE Atlanta, GA 30315 For more information about DFGFI please access their web-site at www.gorillafund.org, or send an email to dfgf@mindspring.com or 2help@gorillafund.org, or call 1-800-851-0203. All contributors will receive a written receipt from the Rotary Club of Kigali-Virunga. Persons contributing $100 or more will receive a "I Helped Build Kigali Public Library" t-shirt and will be recognized on a special plaque to be posted in the Conservation/Gorilla special collection of the library. For a complete list of suggested donations, or if you've made a contribution and not received a written receipt, please email us at kigalilibrary@aol.com or contact Gerald Mpyisi at 08500130. THANKS TO OUR MAJOR DONORS! The following individuals, companies and organizations donated $1,000 or more at the most crucial time, when the Kigali Public Library was still just a dream. The Rotary Club of Kigali-Virunga wishes to express a special thanks to those who joined us in making this dream a reality!! PREMIER DONORS ($45,000 or more) SORWATHE SARL (Rwandan Tea Plantation) Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International The European Union VIP DONORS ($10,000 - $44,999) Tri-Star Investments Government of Canada The Boeing Company Nigel and Clare Richardson Bank of Commerce, Development & Industry Mobile Telephone Networks (MTN) National Bank of Rwanda (BNR) FOUNDING MEMBERS ($1,000 - $9,999) President and Mrs. Paul Kagame UTEXRWA Alliance Express KK Security Bank of Kigali DHL International Hotel Chez Lando Mon. Salvatore Pennacchio MTN RwandaCell Government of Switzerland Barbara and David Swan Littleton Rotary Club Foundation SONARWA Intersec Security Innocent Byuma and Family Egide Gatera Odette and John Nyombayire Shell Rwanda World Council of Credit Unions Partners in Conservation/The Columbus Zoo OCIR-THÉ Tribert Rujugiro Patrick Mehlman and Alecia Lilly Human Help Network Eagles Wings Resources International Sonja Hoekstra Foss Beth Payne Janice Gleason Total SOPYRWA AFRICA Laura McGrew Rotary Foundation Amithy and Cally Alles Rwanda Development Bank Kigali Institute of Science, Technology and Management Rwigass Cigarette Company Andre Sekagira Stella, Howard, Romaine, Ezekiel and Zachary Kaufman Hans-Dieter Steinbach, German Ambassador Rwanda Travel Bureau MORE INFORMATION For more information about the Kigali Public Library project, or to add your e-mail to our mailing list, please contact Immediate Past President Gerald Mpyisi, Kigali Public Library Committee Chairman at 250-085-00130 or e-mail us at kigalilibrary@aol.com. For more information about the Rotary Club of Kigali-Virunga, please call Musa Kasonka, President of the Rotary Club of Kigali-Virunga, at 250-083-02292. Also visit web-site at http://www.kigalilibrary.org. KIGALI PUBLIC LIBRARY NEWS is published monthly by the Rotary Club of Kigali-Virunga. Editor: Beth Payne (kigalilibrary@aol.com) October 9, 2001 Vol. 2002, No. 11