Seven years later, we are deeply inspired by the incredible progress they have made. Despite the fact that most had their educations interrupted by the 1994 genocide {and some never went to school at all}, many of our artisan partners have mastered our current training programs. They are ready to take their educations to the next level and asked us to help them make their dreams a reality.
That’s why – this fall - we are going “back-to-school.”
In October 2014, we plan to launch a Leadership Academy in Kigali, Rwanda that will provide free advanced business training to our talented, entrepreneurial, and inspirational artisan partners. Our goal is to provide these women with the tools they need to succeed as independent businesswomen and catalyze economic and social progress across Rwanda.
But we need your help to make it happen! Donate here and read on to learn more.
Who, What, When, Where and Why
Here’s the who, what, where, when, and why of everything you need to know about the Leadership Academy – starting with the why:
Why:
Women have played a central role in Rwanda’s rise since the 1994 genocide.
- They have taken on unprecedented leadership positions in government, workplaces, and community institutions, contributing significantly to their country’s economic and social progress.
- Our artisan partners are no exception. They are emerging as inspiring leaders and entrepreneurs, eager to take on larger challenges.
- In order to sustain this positive momentum, it is crucial that these women receive the advanced training they need to further develop and hone their business and leadership skills.
There are no other organizations currently providing this urgently-needed educational programming in a free-of-cost, easily accessible manner.
Who:
25 students from across our 18 partner cooperatives
- These women were selected based on: commitment to their co-ops, previous leadership experience, and demonstrated business skills. Those who are unable to participate this semester will have the opportunity to reapply next semester.
4 Student Fellows
- The Student Fellows were selected from the pool of our 19 artisan partners who graduated from Goldman Sachs’ 10,000 Women initiative.Based on their previous advanced business training, these women {while still students at the Academy} will play an enhanced role in the classroom, leading weekly small discussion sessions with other students.
2 Teaching Assistants
- Our Teaching Assistants, Emelienne {President of Cocoki Cooperative} and Modeste {long-time Generation Rwanda trainer} will assist our main teachers with lesson planning & teaching responsibilities.
Talented Teachers
- Rosine Urujeni, our Country Director, will teach weekly classes along with an incredible group of specialists from a local NGO {more details on that collaboration to come!}
What:
Students will study advanced business topics.
- These will include market and customer analysis, technology, accounting, inventory, pricing, product innovation, time management and workplace health and safety.
- The Leadership Academy syllabus was written by an expert team of volunteers including members of our Board of Directors and Regional Boards.
Students will participate in field trips, networking events, and seminars with successful local entrepreneurs.
Students will have access to an onsite Technology Center with laptops.
- This will also be available outside of class-time for research, record-keeping, and private tutorials.
Students will apply the lessons they learn to improve the management and performance of their cooperatives.
- This will lead to increased income generation for all of our artisan partners
Classes will take place twice a week Wednesdays {9AM-5PM} & Thursdays {9AM-3:30PM} per six-month semester.
Students will continue to work at their cooperatives all other days of the week and will receive a stipend for class time.
Where:
The Academy will be held in an open conference room on the 1st floor of our office building in Kigali, Rwanda.
Students traveling from outside Kigali will receive a travel stipend, housing, and meals throughout the duration of the Leadership Academy.
Seven years into our journey in Rwanda, we are closer to achieving our mission than ever before. Please help our artisan partners empower themselves, their families, and their communities now and in the years to come: Donate Now