Chez Lando Hotel owner visits U.S in a mentorship program

Anne Marie Kantengwa, who owns Hotel Chez Lando in Kigali, is visiting Oklahoma in the U.S. through Peace Through Business, an initiative of the Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women.

The program seeks to inspire women around the world to grow their businesses and become more active in public policy.

Kantengwa is on a week-long visit in Oklahoma from July 20, 2013 at the Wagoner resort in a mentorship program, Peace Through Business.

“When I came to the U.S.A., my wish was to connect with people and to let people know about my hotel,” said Kantengwa, the chief executive officer of the Chez Lando Hotel in Kigali, Rwanda. “Even with a tragic history, we are a beautiful country.”

The Chez Lando, built in 1986, was destroyed during the genocide but has been

rebuilt, said Kantengwa, who has operated the hotel since 1996.

Lisa Bracken, an owner of The Canebrake, said, “If you look at the hotel’s website, it’s just beautiful.”

Kantengwa added: “It stays open and has just been expanding. We are a family business, and our accommodations are 82 rooms.”

Kantengwa said she has learned a lot about American hospitality and business during her first few days at The Canebrake.

“The owners here are very committed,” she said. “My expectation from this is to bring back the good friendliness at The Canebrake and new friends for the Hotel Chez Lando. This helps me to have more ambition.”

The mentorship program also included women and Afghanistan.

Kantengwa has had a busy week. On the night of July 20, she was an “expediter” in the kitchen, making sure every plate is perfectly prepared, Bracken said.

She also received cooking directions from Sam Bracken, executive chef and co-owner of The Canebrake.

She spent July 21 working the front desk and July 22 visiting Tulsa and taking yoga lessons at The Canebrake’s Yoga Barn. She spent July 23 morning in Muskogee, even visiting Walmart, and working in the kitchen in the afternoon.

“I have been inspired to join the program,” Kantengwa said. “It could help future generations of women in this country.”

Bracken said she was learning a lot about Rwanda during Kantengwa’s visit, including that “after genocide, Rwanda was 70 percent women.”

She said she also learned “that I really want to go to Rwanda.”

Peace Through Business includes one week of mentoring or shadowing at an American business. When the women return to their country, they are to pass what they learn on to other women, according to a website by the Institute for the Economic Empowerment of Women.

Chez Lando Hotel owner visits U.S in a mentorship program