BMSS sent Managing Partner Don Murphy along with four CPAs from its management group to Kigali, Rwanda for 10 days in July to help launch a business analyst and manager training program with Bridge2Rwanda.
Bridge2Rwanda (B2R) is a nonprofit organization founded in 2007 in order to create opportunities for Rwandan student to obtain a global education and to attract foreign direct investors to help accelerate Rwanda’s economic growth. BMSS originally connected with B2R through Dale Dawson, the founder.
Senior Manager Kate Fluker, Senior Manager Nick D’Alessandro, Manager Margi Patel, Supervisor Jennifer Mayfield and Murphy spent their time leading accounting and business training for the B2R Analyst Program and meeting with B2R students. The training was broken down into lessons on QuickBooks, Leadership, Steps to Starting a Business, Personal Finance and Financial Statement Analysis. Although most of the BMSS family was unable to be in Rwanda in person, many contributed funds to purchase educational resources for the library program in a neighboring village.
Fluker was responsible for scheduling and leading the trip to Rwanda. “Spending time with the analysts and other members of the B2R team was such a privilege,” she said. “I learned so much about the Rwandan culture and their personal stories. These individuals are truly remarkable and are headed for great things. I am so thankful that I was able to be a small part of their journey.”
BMSS looks forward to more opportunities to partner alongside B2R in the future. To learn more about B2R visit https://www.bridge2rwanda.org/.
Pictures from L to R: 1.) BMSS team members enjoying visiting with schoolchildren from a neighboring village 2.) Tom Allen (center), who serves as the Country Director for B2R, was the BMSS team’s host and guide for their trip. 3.) Don Murphy teaching basic accounting to college-age students.