Blog post written by Mike Hamilton, originally posted on his blog Tackled and Sifted

In my adventures in Africa, I continue to see new lessons in leadership, strong will, resourcefulness and determination. So many times these lessons are taught by the women I have met.

Blandine is a strong-willed, community leader in Cyanika, Rwanda. Coming out of the horrors of that country's genocide she and other like minded women decided they would change what community and transformation meant in their village. They believed reconciliation and change would occur through spiritual affirmation and re-birth first, quickly followed by the sharing of concern for one another. She rallied 30 women to begin saving the eqivalent of eight cents a month with the initial goal to buy a goat for each family. When the totals begin to allow them to move forward, African NGO Moucecore stepped in with another possibility.

At the time, Blandine and other women and children in her village began a daily 18km walk in the dark each morning to the local lake for daily collection of water. They returned mid-afternoon.This area in Rwanda receives significant rainfall and is incredibly lush. Blandine and friends live on the side of a volcano and water collection process was largely archaic at best. The lake they walked to-while beautiful, was polluted with disease.

With Moucecore and Blood:Water Mission's guidance, Blandine and friends used their saved money to buy cement and sheet metal. Rocks and labor on the mountain were available. With these resources, they built a rain tank at their church and put sheet metal on the roof. Suddenly, there was available water that didn't involve an 18km walk. Suddenly, those women became more empowered. Suddenly, children had time to go to school.

Others took notice, including men on the mountain. One rain tank served those original 30 families but the best solution was one tank per ten families. Blandine became a champion for what the community could do if they worked together. Her presence, her leadership and I imagine, her strong will and forcefulness have now led to the completion of 114 rain tanks completed.

In July, over 7,000 people in Blandine's mountainside village celebrated 100% water coverage. Help came from many directions and many people did many different things to bring a solution. However, it started with one woman who cared and who led. And she continues to lead. I can't wait to see what changes she helps to bring about next. I know her vision for her mountainside and look forward to the transformation that will occur in the lives she affects through her determination.

It started with eight cents a month.

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Help come alongside Cyanika as the take the next step. Building latrines that provide a safe and sanitary place to go, as well as practicing proper hygiene will ensure that new safe water supplies stay clean, and its residents stay healthy.

Deck the Stalls with Composting Latrines in Rwanda

Deck the Stalls with Composting Latrines in Rwanda

Deck the Stalls with Composting Latrines in Rwanda