Janet Reineck gave an inspiring presentation on the activities of World Dance for Humanity (WD4H).  In 2010, Janet set out to combine her love for dance and humanitarian aid work and started World Dance – a class that offers women a chance to connect with other cultures through music and movement, while helping people in need. 

 

In December of 2011, World Dance partnered with Goats for Life, a Santa Barbara-based nonprofit that had been working since 2007 to help Rwandans stay alive in the aftermath of the Genocide through gifts of goats and cows. In the spring of 2013, GFL’s Founder Betsy Kain retired and World Dance for Humanity took on her legacy and commitment to serve these communities. Since then, WD4H has become deeply involved with the communities, helping them survive, sustain, and build new lives.

They currently work with 8,400 people in 25 rural communities, providing donations of livestock (goats, cows, and chickens), student stipends, training (in agriculture, leadership, and business) and support to help each community create a sustainable business enterprise. The projects are envisioned, planned, and managed by the co-op members themselves, with the support of WD4H and our Rwanda Team. The cooperatives have full responsibilities for their projects — they own their transformation. In this way, they are lifting themselves out of poverty.

Thanks to the generous support of our dancers and donors, in 2016 they were able to send $123,986 in aid to Rwanda, giving the people they work with the means to improve their lives. We have seen tremendous changes, as the communities begin to believe in the future and work for a sustainable livelihood.

The group is also active in the Santa Barbara community, providing a team of volunteer tutors for the Westside Boys & Girls Club, reaching out to wheelchair-bound seniors and disabled adults, and providing an array of activities where women can come together to get “in shape and inspired.”