Bridge2Rwanda would like to thank Francine LeFrak and Rick Friedberg for their generous partnership to sponsor the education of four Bridge2Rwanda Scholars studying at universities in the US.  The LeFrak-Friedberg Scholars are all currently freshman and sophomores and attend four different universities in the northeast – Columbia University, Trinity College, Wesleyan University, and Lehigh University. This partnership will help support the essential needs not covered by students’ university scholarships and help the scholars thrive as they pursue their education abroad. 

Another Bridge2Rwanda Scholar, Diane Akimana Mukundwa, is the beneficiary of Ms. LeFrak’s generosity as she was a Same Sky Scholar at the FAWE School and received a Same Sky Scholarship for her first year at University.  Diane is studying Engineering at Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas.

Francine LeFrak is an award-winning theatrical, television and film producer, a successful entrepreneur, and a distinguished philanthropist.  She began working in Rwanda in 2008, when she founded Same Sky, a socially-conscious jewelry line that creates employment opportunities for women struggling to lift themselves out of extreme poverty. Not only does Same Sky offer employment and fair pay, it also provides the training and education necessary for women to live empowered and self-sustaining lives. 

We are grateful for their support and impact this year! Click here to learn more about Same Sky’s mission or you can follow Same Sky on Instagram @samesky or Francine on Twitter @FrancineLeFrak.