Global Leader from Rwanda Helps Transform Communities During Virtual Fellowship with US Together
Benie Claudette Iriza is partnering with US Together in Columbus, OH and Kigali, Rwanda through the U.S. Department of State’s Community Solutions Program. Benie, an emerging global leader in providing mental health resources for her community is working with American counterparts at US Together, collaborating on projects that will help strengthen communities and improve lives in both Columbus and Rwanda.
The Community Solutions Program (CSP) is a year-long professional leadership development program for people who are working to improve their communities by addressing issues related to the environment, peace and conflict resolution, transparency and accountability, and women and gender. This program allows Benie experience working with a U.S based organization and opportunities to expand her network with people who work in mental health field in both the United States and Rwanda.
Benie has lived in Rwanda her whole life and speaks Kinyarwanda, French, and English. She is motivated to find solutions for mental health problems addressing her community because, “As young people we are the future of our country and it is us who will be future leaders and we need to be prepared for that.” Having grown up seeing the effects of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi, she is deeply committed to serving her community.
Since 2010, the Community Solutions Program (CSP) has provided over 740 community leaders, between the ages of 25 and 38, from 99 countries with an intensive professional development experience in the United States. Focusing on complex economic, environmental, social, and political issues, CSP fellows complete an intensive U.S.-based practicum, undertake rigorous leadership coursework, build new networks, and implement community project in their home country, using their newly acquired leadership and technical skills. The 2021 CSP Fellows are participating in a newly developed virtual program. CSP fellows have contributed over 350,000 hours supporting 129 U.S. communities across 40 states and Washington, DC. CSP community projects have impacted over 600,000 beneficiaries around the world.
The Community Solutions Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and supported in its implementation by IREX.
For press inquiries please contact:
Moira Donovan, Communications Specialist, US Together: mdonovan@ustogether.us
Les Miles, Community Solutions Program Manager, IREX: lmiles@irex.org
Learn more about the Community Solutions Program on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or the CSP website.