MUHANGA - A Rwandan project "Giving Hope” has been selected among world’s best initiatives in changing lives that will compete in Singapore, this week, during the 21st International Association for Volunteer Effort (IAVE) World Volunteer Conference.

The project, run by Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) of Rwanda was selected among the top five world initiatives out of 800 entries from the globe.

The event is organized by the PITCH 2011 and sponsored by UBS Bank in Singapore. The winner will be rewarded with a $75.000 cash prize. Other selected countries include Kenya, Korea, Philippines, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Two delegates, Pudentienne Uzamukunda and Archimedes Sekamana, of YWCA Rwanda, set off for Singapore, last Saturday, and will, today, present the projects activities and success stories.

They will also participate in world volunteer conference under the theme: Volunteering to Change the World” and apparently sell the image of the country.

"This is an opportunity for Rwanda to demonstrate its ability and show the world that everything is possible,” Uzamukunda said. "We are going as a country determined to bring back the prize and pride of Rwanda.”

The "Giving Hope” project was initiated in 2003 by YWCA Rwanda to support orphans and vulnerable children affected by the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

Some of the projects  achievements include: over 16000 beneficiaries whose lives have been transformed to self sustainability, 504 Orphans elected to local leadership roles and 212 families reunited with their children.

The projects success story is currently being applied by YWCA groups in East Africa and the Great lakes region.

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