Friends

Many organisations and individuals have been particularly supportive of rYico's work, especially in terms of fundraising and raising the profile of Rwanda in the UK.

Over the past 4 years, rYico have organised a series of events in Brighton and Hove to commemorate the Rwandan genocide and to increase awareness about Rwanda. Without the contributions made by several individuals and organisations, we wouldn't have been able to arrange such a variety of events. Thank you to the following:

Stagestruck is a corporate Event and Communications Company established in 1984. Stagestruck deal with every aspect of corporate events and have been particularly supportive of rYico's work in the UK. Specifically, rYico's event at the Dome Corn Exchange in 2005 would not have been possible without the incredible help, organisation and technical support of the Stagestruck team. Stagestruck have also extended their kind support to helping finance the set up of Centre Marembo in Kigali.

Union Coffee Roasters have been particularly supportive throughout our events by serving and selling their Rwandan blend of coffee, Maraba Bourbon, which is grown by the Abahuzamugambi co-operative in the Maraba district of Rwanda. All of UCRs' products are fairtrade and Maraba Bourbon coffee is availble at large Sainsbury's stores. rYico hopes to continue to work with Union Coffee Roasters in the future.

Children's Music Playhouse (CMP) is a Brighton based charity that provides music workshops for children from babies to teenagers. The founder, Jackie Chase, works extremely hard to reach out to as many communities as possible across Brighton & Hove. During the 10th anniversary events in April, rYico worked in partnership with CMP to organise two Rwandan dance and music children's workshops. The workshops were run by the Rwandan artists Ben Ngabo, Ben Rutabana and Jean-Paul Samputu.

The work of Helen Wilson and Karen Kessi Williams formed two striking exhibitions, 'Making Sense: A Rwandan Story' and 'Hope After Hatred'. The show took place at Brighton Artists Gallery at the beginning of April.

Helen has worked closely with the AVEGA women who are the subject of several of her paintings. Helen says: "Trying to make sense of what happened in Rwanda has been at the heart of my work for nearly a decade. I want to express through this exhibition as much as possible about Rwanda as it is today ­ the beauty and the tragedy, and the dignity and grace of its people in the aftermath of the genocide."

Karen's work, 'Hope after Hatred' features photographs of the reconciliation and justice processes in Rwanda set against a backdrop of lush landscapes and colourful portraits of survivors, prisoners and their families.

RUGO's (Rwanda UK Goodwill Organisation) work is designed to improve education and training of the people of Rwanda through the provision and support of community based projects designed improve conditions of life for those in necessitous circumstances. RUGO has been particularly supportive during rYico's development and we plan to continue working together.

"Rwanda: the Bradt Travel Guide" by Janice Booth & Philip Briggs. Janice Booth has made several trips to Rwanda and kindly offered to come and talk to an audience in Brighton about her experiences. She has jointly compiled this comprehensive guide (second edition published in March 2004, price £13.95/US$21.95) which covers Rwanda's wildlife, history and culture as well as practicalities such as travel, cost and accommodation - and, of course, how to visit the mountain gorillas. The guide can be ordered from main bookshops in many countries worldwide, from internet booksellers such as Amazon, from the Bradt Travel Guides website www.bradtguides.com, and direct from the Bradt Travel Guides UK office info@bradtguides.com.