P.R.E.F.E.R. is (Poverty Reduction, Education and Family Empowerment in Rwanda), started by Cathy Emmerson and her husband Teste supports child-headed and single-parent families in the village where she now lives in the hills of Rwanda.

Cathys program provides, schooling for the young, assistance in nutrition,  basic health care  and teaching self sufficiency to those eager to learn how to work.

Cathy Emmerson grew up in Maple Ridge, B.C. Canada and was a realtor there from 1990 to 2003. Cathy started the annual Maple Ridge Thanksgiving dinner that realtors continue to host each year to serve those less fortunate and was recognized in 1998 for her charity work here in Canada.

She has been in Rwanda in one way or another for over 7 years.

After working in another orphanage for a year she realized the great need for a similar project here in the mountain regions and the idea for PREFER was born.

Cathy’s efforts are closely coordinated with local authorities at all levels complementing the governments programs and coordinates her efforts with the governor of the district and mayor of the town where she runs the orphanage school.

In August of this year her organization received official NGO - non government organization status equivalent to a not for profit organization.