In June of 2008, the women of Sisters of Rwanda stepped forward to inform Jared N Miller (former Executive Director and Co-Founder of SOR) and Ilea Dorsey (former Rwanda Country Director) that Mr. Joseph Ayienga (former Pastor, Caretaker, and Co-Founder of SOR) and Margret Karara (former General Manager of SOR) had been abusing them verbally as well as stealing money and supplies from them for over a year. They had also plotted to oust Mr. Miller from the organization and attempted to do so on two occasions over the past months. This came as a tremendous shock to the directors. When they confronted Ayienga and Karara about the issue it sparked a four month long controversy, despite documentation and recorded conversations where they incriminated themselves.

On September 3rd, 2008, in an effort to stop the abuse and shut down the organization (as there were no other legal options due to the SOR constitution), Mr. Miller and Ms. Dorsey formally (and legally) resigned from Sisters of Rwanda (the Rwandan entity) through the local authorities in Rwanda. All but three of the women in the project (totaling around forty) left the organization at that time as well. There is a legal paper trail documenting this action.

On October 28th, 2008, The Ministry of Local Government officially closed down Sisters of Rwanda, and it remains closed to this day.

Mr. Miller and Ms. Dorsey helped the women (formerly of Sisters of Rwanda) to create their own business, which was part of the original goal, and they are now the proud owners of BURANGA Women’s Cooperative. Buranga means “beauty” in Kinyarwanda. This organization belongs to the same women that Sisters of Rwanda was created for. Mr. Miller has been with them since April of 2006 and remains dedicated to helping them grow emotionally, spiritually and financially. We have achieved the goal of equipping the women to run their own business, and they are very proud of BURANGA, and we are proud of them.

Mr. Miller and Ms. Dorsey went on to create a new organization called KEZA which exists only in the United States. They operate in Africa as business and life development consultants and procurement agents. KEZA is a registered non-profit 501(c)3 United States Corporation.

KEZA works with women’s cooperatives (KEZA Partners) to help develop their lives and businesses. KEZA Partners create high end fashion products that KEZA sells around the world. Profits are used to help develop our KEZA Partner’s businesses and communities.

The women of BURANGA Women’s Cooperative (formerly of SOR) are now thriving and growing a very successful business by creating beautiful Paper Bead jewelry. If you were a supporter of Sisters of Rwanda, we hope you will continue to support the women of BURANGA.

IMPORTANT: Joseph Ayienga and Margret Karara are currently being investigated for abuses towards the women (formerly) of Sisters of Rwanda. Thirty three of the women have filed an official report to multiple Rwandan government agencies and human rights organizations. The women are attempting to get their case taken to court in hopes of stopping Mr. Ayienga and Ms. Karara from preying on others. If you have questions about this case, please contact us through the KEZA contact page. We are happy to provide you with Rwandan government contacts and reports if you so desire.