Market on the Ruzizi River: A Peace Making Project July 2011

Ruzizi River --l. DRC, r. Rwanda Dam near future site of Peace Market

The Ruzizi River runs 73 miles from Lake Kivu to Lake Tanganyika and forms the border between Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. For generations, tribes traded peacefully across the river until the Great African War began in 1996. Since then, the area has known little but war, terrorism and chaos, and the people of these two countries no longer trust each other.

Amani Matabaro remembers a time when his mother crossed the Ruzizi into Rwanda and traded palm oil for goats. To promote reconciliation, he wants to reinstate the flourishing trade that characterized the area by enlarging and improving the existing market in Mumosho, DRC. The project will benefit not only the 31,000 people who live in the groupment of Mumosho but the Rwandans as well.

Amani in Burhembo schoolroom Existing market needs improvement

The new market will be a large covered building, approximately 25 x 25 meters, that will house many stalls and provide shelter from the rain. Right now, only two small lean-tos exist, and there is no refuge from the tropical rain which is torrential from November to February and discourages just about everything.

There will be approximately 16 pillars built of brick and rebar holding up a roof framed with wood and covered by 200 metal sheets (@ $10 each). Most sides will be open, and there will be a few enclosed booths for electronics in the back. The estimated cost of this building is $17,000.

Amani Matabaro, a trusted contact and Rotary grant recipient for two years, has provided impeccable receipts from past projects. A school teacher by training, he is currently a UN Peace Negotiator working toward reconciliation with rebels hiding in the mountains. Amani is a man of courage and vision, an extraordinary human being who comes highly recommended.

Donations can be made through Montecito Rotary Foundation or http://www.empowercongowomen.org/ . Rotary donations to this project must be Cash. The Project Budget will be available online for transparency. For more information regarding this project and how to donate, write [email protected] or call (805) 604-5488. Empower Congo Women is a 501(c)3 non-profit charity. All donations to ECW are tax-deductible. Market on the Ruzizi River: A Peace Making Project July 2011

The Peace Market is fast becoming an important project promoting reconciliation between Rwandan and Congolese people in the area, as well as positioning Rotary as prime mover in the peace building effort. Rotary Club of Bukavu is the local Host Partner in this project.

Donate now so you and your Rotary Club can become partners in this exciting, peacemaking project!

Mark Magid, a building contractor from Santa Barbara and member of Rotary Club of Montecito, will be traveling to DRC to help with the construction of the market. Courtlin Stoker, President of Rotaract of Santa Barbara, will also travel to Bukavu to be present for the market building and following ceremonies.

Please read the latest emails below to learn more about this project:

MATABARO AMANI to me (Victoria Bentley) show details 11:29 AM (4 hours ago) March 15, 2011

Hi Mama,

This peace Market is a great project. I worked with a local congolese builder on drafting a kind of budget for this market and we came up with something around 17.000$. We will talk later.

Thanks, Amani M

As you are coming with a builder, it's good to start while you are here. But there's always water problem starting June because of Dry season. Remember the women we met the day we were visiting water points. And these kinds of work need much water ! If you are able to raise the amount, let's start early, pay even the local congolese builders who will work with Magid to make sure this market is a great success

The day of celebration after after completion,we will invite many people--media, king, all mumosho local chiefs, school principals, priests, pastors ...and this has to be done before you trvaell back to the US.what do you think?

Thanks, Amani

Hi Magid,

In response, the floors here are built with bricks layed and then sand and cement, for walls we use pillars of iron rod , gravels, tie wire, bricks , cement and sand and for roofs we use planks ,iron sheets,nails...

The people are 2 masons,2 carpenters,3 scrap dealers and one formwork.

Thanks, Amani

With warm best regards,

Victoria Bentley, Rotary Club of Montecito