August 2009, visit to Nyamata.

Three years ago, eleven-year old Jessica Markowitz met Richard Kananga from Rwanda who told her a story of hopes and dreams. It was a story about the orphaned children of Rwanda who, despite having lost their parents to war and disease, wanted an education. Jessica knew she had to help. She started an organization called "Richard’s Rwanda" (now known as IMPUHWE—the Rwandan word for compassion) and started raising money to support a rural girls' school in Nyamata, Rwanda, where $40 supports a girl going to school for a year. From providing pencils to uniforms, Jessica and a group of young volunteers are making sure 22 girls have a chance to go to learn; their goal is to sponsor 50 girls. From bake sales to grants and awards and Jessica’s Bat Mitzvah money, IMPUHWE has raised nearly $70,000. Now Jessica is spearheading a campaign to build and stock a library at the school.

IMPUHWE - Inspire Motivate Powerful Undiscovered Hopeful Women with Education

Mission: Bonding girl to girl, building peace, and looking into the window of Rwanda to empower our future leaders of the world.

Vision: Our group consists of students from Seattle trying to make a difference in the world. We believe in empowering women through friendship and connecting cultures across the globe.

Rwanda suffered a horrendous genocide so we’re committed to helping girls who endured so much loss. Our focus is to support educational opportunities for Rwandan girls.

August 2007, Jessica's first visit to Nyamata, Rwanda. Reading with one of the students.


August 2008, Jessica's Bat Mitzvah celebration with the girls in Nyamata, Rwanda.


August 2007, handing out new uniforms to the girls in Nyamata, Rwanda.


August 2009, reading with student in Nyamta.


August 2009, Jessica visiting a student’s family in their home in Nyamata.

When we heard about Jessica from a segment on CNN, we thought, "How can we help?" Our management team at Vernon Library Supplies made the decision to donate 1% of our revenues for a year in the form of library supplies and products to the cause. As Jessica stated in a recent interview with School Library Journal, "A library gives you a new vocabulary." Vernon has been in the library business for 40 years, and we can think of no better way to enrich a life than to give everyone access to that opportunity.

The effort Jessica Markowitz has put into improving the lives of people who need help inspired us, and we hope it will have the same effect on our friends and customers. One 14-year-old girl in Seattle is making a real difference, and every item you purchase from Vernon Library Supplies will support the work she and her peers are doing in Africa. To find out more about Jessica and IMPUHWE, visit http://www.richardsrwanda.org/.

"You educate a girl, you educate a community."