FXB Global Partner: Protravel International Partnership Established: 2008 Status: Village launched August 2009 Location: Cyeza, Rwanda Total Number of People Helped: 488 Children Helped: 264 Updates! Young people in Cyeza are given the tools to build a brighter future With the completion of the secondary school in Cyeza, 200 children are now enrolled in primary school and 44 attend secondary school. Also, seven young women are participating in vocational training, focusing on embroidery, and two young men are training in construction. Links Donate to this village Build your own village Get email updates Read about Protravel's experience Read "Humanitarian village in Rwanda part of Protravel’s commitment to social responsibility"

Proof of families' successes already apparent The health of both adults and children in Cyeza has improved dramatically due to the increased use of mosquito nets and blankets and better hygiene and sanitation in the home. Families have also started planting vegetable gardens so that they can have regular access to nutritious foods. Households have been divided into 8 beneficiary groups, where they have pooled some of their income to invest in the purchase of start-up materials. The groups have collected an average of $117 each. All families now have savings accounts and contribute a portion of their income every month.

Fundraising Spotlight

Upcoming Events

Among other ongoing fundraising efforts, Protravel is participating in the 2010 London Dragon Boat Race Festival and is selling raffle tickets to help the FXB-Protravel Village in Cyeza! To participate, click here and include "2010 Dragon Boat Race" in the special instructions.



Watch this video made by Kelsey Jonat and her friends. They've been raising money for the Protravel FXB-Village by selling candy at school!

Past Events

Recently, Protravel Long Island brought the famous psychic John Edward, along with two other renowned psychics, to Oheka Castle an intimate evening of readings. More than 175 guests attended, and Protravel’s efforts helped raise over $30,000 for the Cyeza Village. These funds will be used to help build homes and make safer structures for families living in the community.

Protravel International's employees, vendors, and clients have thought of many creative ways to raise the funds needed to launch their FXB-Village with record speed! From hosting cocktail receptions to donating portions of their sales and paychecks to asking friends to give to the Village in place of sending wedding gifts or holiday presents, they have done it all! Thanks to these efforts, Protravel has succeeded in raising all the funds needed for their 3-year village program! Still, they continue to be dedicated to improving conditions in Rwanda and are raising money for other projects.

Stories from the field: Elizabeth

Elizabeth is a 46 year-old widowed mother who has faced a lifetime of challenges.  After having eight children pass away during infancy, she finally gave birth to two healthy children who are now 10 and 12.

Sadly, her husband passed away soon after the children were born and – with nowhere else to turn – she moved in with her brother and his four children. After contracting an infection, he passed away quickly, and Elizabeth was left to raise his children in addition to her own. Grieving and without any funds to pay for food, shelter, or education, Elizabeth felt hopeless.

When FXB got in contact with Elizabeth, she had not left her bed in days. FXB social workers spent time with her, encouraging her to join the Protravel FXB-Village and start her life again and create a better future for her children. Once enrolled in the Protravel Village, Elizabeth and her children were provided with emergency nutritional support and health care, which allowed them to get back on their feet. She recently received a pig to begin her IGA, and she is looking forward to growing her business so that she can save money to ensure all six children can attend primary and secondary school. Thanks to the generous support of Protravel, Elizabeth says that her children have, “regained their smiles” and can concentrate on their bright future, rather than the past.

Read about other beneficiaries from the Protravel FXB-Village here.

Photos from the field