Archives



Local efforts feed Rwanda recovery

Posted on September 17, 2019 by Sonoma Valley Sun
From left, Cathy Webber, Anna Bimenyimana and staffers of the Gardens for Health nonprofit in Rwanda.

Local humanitarian and philanthropist, Anna Bimenyimana, owner of the Bon Marche Thrift Store, is one of three inspiring women featured in the film Seeing Brave. The film comes to Sebastiani Theatre for a benefit screening on Monday, September 23 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $10.

Following the show there will be a Q & A with Bimenyimana about Gardens for Health, the Rwandan nonprofit she supports with proceeds from her shop’s sales and private contributions. The project teaches village women to farm organically and to cook nutritious meals in the country where 35 percent of children under five are malnourished.

The evening is being co-sponsored by Sonoma Impact100, G3 Sonoma and Sonoma Valley Newcomers.

In late October, Bimenyimana and Cathy Webber of End World Hunger Foundation will lead a group of 10 Sonomans to Rwanda to learn about the progress the country has made in the 25 years since its tragic genocide. They will learn how it is protecting rare animals like its mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. The trip culminates with the 10th anniversary of Gardens for Health on November 8. 

The Sonoma delegation is now raising funds to present as a gift to Gardens for Health when its 10th anniversary is celebrated with colorful singing, dancing, and nutritious foods at its experimental farm outside Kigali.

For more information about how you can contribute to Gardens for Health, stop by Bon Marche Thrift Store or see its display table at the Sebastiani Theater on Monday evening, Sept. 23.

 




Sonoma Sun | Sonoma, CA