Update for the Bpeace YPC fundraiser:

You are invited to join Business Council for Peace for an exciting African-themed evening benefiting a vocational school in Rwanda. The Bpeace Rwanda program was founded in 2005, but now, with ethnic conflict reigniting on the western border, we need to create incentives to preserve peace. More jobs means less violence. This school will help make that mission a reality.

Honoring:
Jonathan Torgovnik of Foundation Rwanda

Featuring:

Rwandan-Born Singer, Corneille, as a Special Guest!!!

After-Party Hosted by Hip-Hop Icons, Q-Tip & DJ Evil Dee!!!
Rwandan Dance Performance by Claudine Mukamabano
Cameroon-Born Singer / Songwriter, Francis Jocky
Congolese & Cote d'Ivoirian Fashion Show
Cocktail Reception with Non-Profit Partier, Dentist DJ
Starr African Cocktails, South African Wines & Kenyan Beer!!!

Thursday, February 26th - Mansion (M2) - 7pm
RSVP NOW AT: www.bpeace.org/ypc !!!

Tickets selling fast! Join YPC on Feb 26th at M2

Why Entrepreneurs? Why Women? Why Rwanda? Why Beauty Salon?

The core of Bpeace is the commitment and conviction of its network of business professionals who volunteer to provide consulting and training, often times in-country at their own expense. These business professionals develop ongoing relationships with the entrepreneurs and also become front-line ambassadors for peace and cross-cultural understanding.

Bpeace is the only relationship-based non-profit entrepreneurial investment program that focuses on women run small and medium sized enterprises in conflict and post conflict countries. No other organization matches Bpeace’s three-year commitment to each female entrepreneur or has Bpeace’s impact.

By attending YPL's Benefit on Feb. 26th @ Mansion, you will play a crucial role in contributing to a positive and sustainable CHANGE in international development affairs.

Why Entrepreneurs? Because entrepreneurial business is the great activator. It hits at the core of a sustainable economy and civil society--by fostering self esteem, motivation, imagination, ownership, hope, contribution and service. Entrepreneurs spark generative systemic change.

Why Women? Because they are good investments in the next generation. When they have access to finance, networks, and information, it’s proven that women reinvest in human capital (education and vocational training). Not only will investing in women contribute to national economic growth but women represent an untapped resource of human capacity for knowledge based labor force.

Why Rwanda? It's simple: Because 60% of Rwanda’s population lives below the poverty line. 90% of the population depends on rural subsistence farming. Developing the service sector is crucial to providing jobs for its young people.

Why Beauty Salon? Because it is a service sector that thrives in Rwanda yet doesn’t have enough
trained professionals. There are more jobs than hair stylists, and more customers than available salons.

President Paul Kagame has prioritized programs that build technical and vocational capacity and has recognized them as vital to poverty eradication. Yet the country lacks a beauty services vocational school.

Bpeace mentors three Rwandan businesswomen who operate beauty salons, employing 44 men and women. Recognizing how a job as a hair stylist can transform families, providing stable income and hope for the future, Harriet, Jeanne and Sylvie have asked Bpeace to help launch Rwanda’s first beauty vocational school. (Stay tuned for their personal stories).

Many of us spend a good chunk of our lives working towards attaining our own comforts of life and while there is nothing wrong with that, we can all give back in some way. Here is an opportunity to contribute to a worthy cause while also having fun!

Come attend our extravaganza - Lively music and dancing, free delicious cocktails (courtesy of Starr African Rum), and last but not least sample treats by New York City's Best Restaurants!

Early Bird tickets (before January 25th) for just $75 or TWO for $100!
VIP tickets (just $100 each) which includes select seating and a special cocktail hour with our honored guests!! www.bpeace.org/YPC

Feel free to comment for more info.

Strengthen Rwanda with a Beauty School!

Get involved with the Young Professionals Committee (YPC) to organize an annual fundraiser held on Thursday, February 26th, 2009 at the Mansion (club/lounge in New York City). This year, we are raising money to help start a Beauty School in Rwanda.

Rwanda; a small peaceful nation in the heart of Africa contains one of the most compelling lessons on earth. With forgiveness and determination, Rwandans are recovering from one of the most violent conflicts in history, showing the path to a stable, peaceful and productive Africa.

The current government is on a mission. Rwanda 2020, to eliminate the genocide's drivers: idleness and poverty. The Key? Job development and income generation.

Bpeace's YPC will help make these goals achievable by providing funds to a Rwandan female entrepreneur to build and run a beauty school.

As young professionals who want to make a difference while building on our careers...your participation and attendance in YPC events is a fun, and low commitment way to contribute to a noble cause.