Bpeace in the News
Business Life After Death in Rwanda
May 4, 2011
Three Rwandan graduates of the Bpeace program, visited the U.S. during a trip that paired them with American businesses. The participants included Languida Nyirababeruka, who founded a funeral home, after the 1994 genocide. At the time, there was no one business that provided all funeral-related items and services, like coffins, transportation and flowers
Helping Small Businesses That Really Know About Ups and Downs
April 28, 2011
A group of Rwandan female entrepreneurs traveled to the United States to learn from their American counterparts. The women, survivors of the 1994 genocide, were graduates of a three-year program created by the Business Council for Peace.
Women of Afghanistan’s Future
April 15, 2011
Just publicly telling their stories can bring it’s own risks. But Fatima and her daughter Shahla, both Bpeace Fast Runners, have come to the U.S. to keep women’s rights in Afghanistan in the forefront. And it starts with the businesses they built.
Rwandan Landscaper Shines in PA
April 14, 2011
Soline owns a landscaping business and garden center. Erica Shaffer, is the Nursery Manager for Highland Gardens. The two women found themselves on the same continent thanks to Bpeace.
Images of Afghan Women Rebuilding Their Lives
April 21, 2011
Paula Lerner is passionate about using photographic images to tell stories. And in 2005, when the photojournalist became involved with the nonprofit Bpeace, she found herself telling one of the most important stories of her career. A collection of images from that narrative, detailing ordinary people in Afghanistan going about their daily lives, has gone on display.
Women Entrepreneurs: Right Under the Noses of the Taliban
March 23, 2011
In her visits to Afghanistan, Gayle Tzemach Lemmon discovered that it is commonplace for women to build successful businesses in order to support their families. In her book, The Dressmaker of Khair Khana, Lemmon brings this point to light by telling us the compelling story of one heroic teenage girl--Kamila Sidiq. Actually, Lemmon found Kamila through Bpeace.
Women Help Each Other Start Businesses in Afghanistan
January 28, 2011
Many of the women entrepreneurs are beneficiaries of development programs started in Afghanistan that are aimed at increasing women’s business skills, including the New York-based nonprofit Bpeace. Bpeace has graduated 56 high-potential entrepreneurs from its hands-on, three-year mentoring and skills-building program.
As the Taliban Falls, Afghan Women Rise
December 12, 2010
Shala is 19, living in Kabul and is someone you don't often see in Afghanistan — a female boss with men working for her. But her vision goes much further than her small shoe manufacturing company. With the help of the organization Bpeace, Shahla recently traveled to New York where she met with top shoe designer Heather Williams.
Meet the Young Afghan Woman Changing the World One Pair of Shoes at a Time
November 10, 2010
Who says your daily dose of feel-good inspiration can't come from a pair of shoes? I recently met an incredible young Afghan woman who's challenging stereotypes, breaking barriers, and creating unparalleled independence for herself through some very fancy footwork.
Young Afghan Shoemaker Learns Skills from Batavia Business
November 8, 2010
A young female entrepreneur from Afghanistan recently spent time in Batavia as part of a tour of U.S. businesses. The visit was sponsored by Bpeace and hosted by P.W. Minor, the Batavia-based shoe manufacturer.
President of Aurora Shoe Co. Gives Business Advice to Afghan Entrepreneur
November 7, 2010
At the Aurora Shoe Co., two shoemakers from worlds thousands of miles apart in so many ways recently met for the first time.
Internship program helps Afghans sample life in America
November 6, 2010
Under sanction of the U.S. State Department, Bpeace, has been bringing highly qualified, Afghans to the United States for training, mentoring and internships. The goal is to prepare the Afghans to return to their country, where they will use the skills and knowledge to grow their fledgling businesses.
Creating Jobs, Creating Peace
November 5, 2010
Bpeace Fast Runner Sora spent time at North Fork Chips with Carol and Martin Soder, who provided guidance on production methods, quality control and employee training. She was impressed by the Soder's efficient operation and welcomed their advice on packaging, marketing and distribution.
East End Welcomes Young Afghan Entrepreneurs
November 3, 2010
To Bpeace Fast Runner Khalid Rahimi, to taste flavored yogurt for the first time was to taste America. In his homeland, he said, the only flavor available is plain.
Afghan Woman Sharpens Skills at Batavia Shoe Company
October 30, 2010
While the country was still parsing sound bites about a national journalist who quakes inwardly when he sees a fellow airline passenger in Muslim garb, a Batavia company showed no such hesitation in opening its doors this week to a young Muslim entrepreneur.
For Afghan, Give Cheese a Chance
October 26, 2010
Khalid, from Afghanistan, learned about cheese-making with Art Ludlow of Mecox Bay Dairy in Bridgehampton yesterday. Khalid is one of 10 young Afghan entrepreneurs brought to the area by Bpeace.
What About Afghan Women?
October 23, 2010
One impressive force for change is Bpeace, which encourages female entrepreneurs in Afghanistan. Sora Stoda, one of the entrepreneurs I met, is building a potato chip factory. Another, Shahla Akbari, makes shoes. Her mother, Fatima Akbari, has 3,000 (mostly female) employees around Afghanistan, working in jam-making, furniture building, tailoring, knitting, jewelry and other lines.
Dream Coming True on North Fork
October 22, 2010
Since she was a little girl, Sora Stoda has had a vision of creating the first-ever potato chip factory in her homeland of Afghanistan. Last week, the 21-year-old from Kabul was on the North Fork learning about potato chip-making from the owners of a small plant in Cutchogue.
Afghan Woman Learns About Potato Chips on LI
October 20, 2010
"I can't believe I'm here in a potato chip firm," said Sora Stoda, 21, who came to Cutchogue from her home in Kabul, Afghanistan, to learn the craft of mass producing what some call snack food and others consider guilty little pleasures.
The Healers of 9/11
September 9, 2010
Another initiative has been to train Afghan women, through a group called Business Council for Peace, to run a soccer ball manufacturing company. The bosses have been coached in quality control, inventory management and other skills, and they have recruited unemployed widows to stitch the balls — which are beginning to be exported under the brand Dosti.
Can employment create peace?
September 22, 2010
Bpeace co-founder and CEO Toni Maloney wants to create one million jobs in 1,000 communities–and through employment, create peace. As Maloney explained to me last week, “Working people don’t belong to gangs.” Peace in the household, she said, means increased peace on the streets.
Where to Volunteer in Summer
July 9, 2010
What if you could help women in areas affected by war and conflict, build their businesses and create employment – places like Afghanistan, El Salvador, Rwanda and Bosnia?
Leader Lends Hand in Rwanda
July 3, 2010
Fran Pastore's trip to Africa had nothing to do with building schools or churches. It involved plenty of hard work and community-building consequences, but her hands stayed clean and she barely broke a sweat.
Supporting Businesswomen
June 21, 2010
This week, the non-profit Bpeace pushed its Race for Innovation, a business plan contest for businesswomen in Afghanistan and Rwanda.
Support Social Entrepreneurs
May 14, 2010
To help local economies rebuild themselves in two countries plagued by war, Bpeace presents the Race to Innovation, an online competition that is raising money for six social entrepreneurs.
Award for Excellent Innovation
December, 2009
Bpeace, a non-profit organization, on Wednesday awarded six entrepreneurial youths for their outstanding business proposals that will soon develop into income-generating projects.
Global Entrepreneurship Week
Nov 16, 2009
Bpeace has shown if you can start a movement in enabling and empowering women to at least have a shot at doing something entrepreneurial, you're going to find remarkable things happening.
Amusement Park in Rwanda
July/August 2009 issue
There’s no other park like this in Rwanda; it has something for everyone. And places where people can be together help reduce the conflicts between them.
Cash for Innovation
July, 2009
Rwanda entrepreneurs with innovative business ideas will receive a financial boost from Bpeace. The organization said the money will be awarded to the brightest and most talented entrepreneurs through competition.
Toni Maloney Wins Award
July, 2009
The Hidden Heroes Award is presented to individuals who exemplify the Foundation’s mission: promoting human dignity, civil rights and social justice through personal initiative, selflessness, fearlessness, compassion, imagination, and achievement.
Give Bpeace a Chance
March 9, 2009
Today we learn how Bpeace.org helps women entrepreneurs worldwide in countries recovering from war with special guest Susan McPherson.
Calling for Change
November 27, 2008
Entrepreneurial spirit has been dampened by three decades of war. However, over the past two years I have been continuously awestruck by the resilience of the Afghan business owners.
Afghan Women In Business
September 22, 2008
Chock embarked on two journeys: to make a difference in the lives of a few courageous Afghan women and to direct “Thread,” an intimate documentary of real life in Afghanistan.
Doing Business in Afghanistan
August 22, 2008
Hamidi launched Kandahar Treasure with the goal of helping women artisans sell their embroidered goods. The business now employs 450 people and sells in Afghanistan, Canada, and the U.S.
Bastianich Honored By Bpeace
May 15, 2008
Lidia Bastianich was honored at the Bpeace gala for her work as an entrepreneur and role model. Her success makes her an example of what Bpeace is trying to achieve.
Afghan Woman Is All Business
January 29, 2008
In a small office hidden behind a gate in Kabul, Kamela Sediqi sits at her laptop and builds her business. The unlikely entrepreneur is the architect of Kaweyan Business Development Services.
The Women of Kabul
2007
In a new multimedia feature, an extraordinary group of Afghan women entrepreneurs are telling their untold stories, five years after the fall of the Taliban.
After a whole year of laying foundation for able business women in the country, Bpeace, US-based NGO has embarked on helping the same women design public peace building projects.
Live on CNN
December 9, 2007
These heroes are individuals whose names may not be familiar, but their stories are remarkable. Our finalist Rangina Hamidi builds economic equality for women in Afghanistan by teaching them a skill like learning to sew.
Prosperity for Afghan Women
June/July 2007
Thrilled with her healthy lifestyle, she opened a gym for women. While that might not sound like a revolutionary accomplishment, it was for Nargis, a young single woman in Afghanistan.
Peace Projects in Rwanda
May, 2007
After a whole year of laying foundation for able business women in the country, Bpeace, U.S.-based NGO has embarked on helping the same women design public peace building projects.
Cut-and-run Not a Possibility
December 29, 2006
This seemed a good moment to revisit the folks running Spirit of America and the Business Council for Peace. They're not going to leave....
Afghanistan’s Instability
November 15, 2006
Rebuilding Afghanistan requires local commitment and international support. It also requires sufficient stability in the present so that Afghans can focus on the future.
