What a courageous woman. I have such admiration for her. I am very interested to learn what she learns so I thank you Wows for letting us peek into the diaries.

“Why me”? you ask, Ashley. Because you are bright, intelligent, and sensitive to the needs and feelings of others and you have the courage to “do it”. I am sure your sharing of your diaries will intice others to move foreward as well. My warmest thoughts are with you in your ventures. Learn, absorb and continue to share. Thank you!

I applaud Ashley and so look forward to finding out what she discovers and learns.

Beautiful photos of a haunted nation, with their wonderful humanist President and First Lady Kagame working transform things; and the spirit of Audrey Hepburn living on in Ashley Judd. Recognizing the long list of challenges, especially curbing population growth, am wondering if there has or will be a kind of microenterprise conference? It seems that since Rwanda’s population isn’t much larger than NYC’s and with US colleges graduating a generation of social entrepreneurs, plus our 73 million Baby Boomers retiring and many wanting to do purposeful work, to have a conference of US and European women’s business owners who retail handicrafts like, http://www.globalgirlfriend.com/gifts/site.do?siteId=344 women’s intiative groups that are a model of starting micro-enterprise businesses like, http://www.womensinitiative.org/index.htm and social entrepreneur experts like Muhammad Yunus, founder of Grameen Bank, Green representatives like Bioneer/Apollo Alliance, and a video model like Sarah McLachlan’s http://www.worldonfire.ca/ plus starting a Facebook activism group—could be a grassroots effort that could accomplish some things fast. Was amazed at all that just $150K accomplished from ‘World on Fire.’ And Facebook activism groups have been very effective, those combined have that viral effect that can grow. With the world bending to organic cotton (so crucial) and many non-sweat shop producers in LA etc…and most of Rwanda being agricultural; is there something like a large-scale hydroponic method to grow cotton, instead of expansion of lifestock which uses up the limited resources and erodes more soil—significant problems. I’m a big tea drinker and Rwanda’s a tea producer… but have never seen their product. Need a great catchy label….and activist retailers like Whole Foods. Also wonder about eco-tourism in the Great Lakes area. William Newsom has been doing those lowscape hotels in Africa and Kuki Gallman with her outstanding conservancy foundation and wealth of knowledge in Africa: http://www.gallmannkenya.org/kuki.php I know the UN has it’s great development programs….but as JFK energized the Peace Corps with such effect (I’ve had San Francisco taxi drivers from Ethiopia, etc say they never forget the Peace Corps workers) Corps Rwanda? Solar, lowscape academies with donated computers and links to open university certificate programs, ie does US Davis have a certificate program in agriculture? For anyone interested here’s a quick factbook on the nation: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/rw.html So much to tackle and just the right person to spearhead attention. Years ago had lunch with Ashley’s can-do godmother in her charming Pacific Heights home…what a family (and extended family) of accomplishment oriented, inspiring women. Look forward to more diaries—enriching terrific idea.

Ashley Judd is one of those women we are so blessed to have as examples of how to be in the world. I have been following her odyssey for some time, and I think she is a remarkable way-shower, someone who cares so much about the plight of Rwandans that she puts herself out there, doing the work, accepting the associated emotional toll. She is one of the young women I admire most in the world. Thanks to you and to Ashley for sharing her diaries with us.

French Heart, Thank you for the information and the websites. What an amazing women Ashley is. Thank you WOW for sharing her diary.

An informative article regarding the Fellowship work Ashley is doing and it’s connections to Candidate Clinton. http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200611/green-hillary

Drew, try to get with the program, okay? Particularly inappropriate where she is speaking of “refuge camps … filled with masses of women — victims of rape.” Ms. Ashley, it is you because of every step you have taken before in this life, all of it has lead you to this point. Like so many, I am following your journey with interest, and sending my good thoughts with you for your success in making a positive impact on a desperate situation. You will grow into the person you need to be to do this work. Just one day one step one breath at a time. To the light, MP

Wonderful read - I look forward to the rest, and to learn vicariously through you.

I, too, look forward to the rest of the diaries. The USA government has spent millions in Africa to help with the prevention and care of AIDS patients. Many countries are helping but here the USA has taken a lead role. President Bush has made this effort one of the cornerstones of his administration and, from what I understand, our help is making a difference. Bill and Melinda Gates are tackling the problem in India with millions from their own organization. Some of the nightmare scenarios about the methods used by the uneducated men to rid themselves of AIDS is heart wrenching. I hope Ashley will be able to withstand some of the horrors she will see on this trip. It will not be a vacation by any stretch of the imagination.

Thank you for sharing these entries. They are poignant and capture the true tragedy that befalls much of the world. Giving a voice to those without a voice is powerful. Thank you!

Ashley, thank you so much for speak your truth. We need every woman on this planet to speak their truth from a place of heart in order to restore the balance. This is exactly what you have done, in my opinion, by sharing your diary with all of us. Please keep up the great work, you are raising others up by your presents and gifts. Thank you again.

ashley, thank you for doing this work. i hope your heart can stand up to the assaults it sees happening so that you can work on prevention.