2011 PTB Students
January 12th, 2011 Posted by admin
Please select the name of a student to view her photo and learn more about her life and desire to improve the economic status of her country.
Muzhgan Wafiq Alokozai owns Wafiq Production Company & Impressive Consultancy Company. Since the development of her production and consultancy companies, Muzhgan has helped over 50 women create their business plans and has paid her PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS experience forward by sharing her experiences and training them. She works directly with women business owners to promote the sustainability of their firms and is proud to have received a letter of appreciation from the Ministry of Women’s Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in recognition of her contributions to the empowerment of women in Afghanistan. Muzhgan received her master’s degree in 2010 in business administration, specializing in international business.
Anne Aryazarwa and her husband began as teachers selling cold water and sodas to the teachers at their school to help supplement their income and support their three children. After the Rwandan genocide Anne and her husband were able to move back to their home country and started her business, Aryazarwa General Enterprise and Catering where she sells affordable, high-quality school uniforms and sports equipment to the students of Rwanda.
Martha Birungi’s vision is to create employment for the women of Rwanda, giving them an income that will improve their standard of living. She owns Ebenezer Farm in the agricultural sector in the eastern province of Rwanda where her crops produce main food staples for the people of Rwanda.
Mahbooba Ekhtya is a 21-year-old graphics artist who owns New Moon Graphics Design in Afghanistan. She taught herself at home and later tested in school to obtain a graphics arts degree. She opened her company in 2010, fulfilling a life-long dream of owning her own company.
Teddy Gacinya opened City Infant School in 1994 after the Rwandan genocide when she recognized the need for children’s quality education due to low standards and government bureaucracy. It’s an established private school in Kigali with more than 20 experienced teachers educating over 500 boys and girls. Teddy’s goal is for the children to receive the education they need to become good citizens and achieve their goals in life.
Akaliza Gara’s passion is animation and her goal is to target Rwandan children, creating inspiring and relatable stories and characters in film and cartoon. Shaking Sun offers 3D animation shorts, website development, graphic design, as well as video and photo editing. In addition, the company hopes to offer netbook rentals allowing for plug-and-play opportunities. Akaliza ensures that her company gives back to the community it serves by offering discounted or pro-bono services to non-profit and charity organizations.
Zahra Hossainy began the Afghan Women Carpet Factory (AWCF) in 2010 as a home-based carpet weaving company. AWCF is a small business that focuses on both rag fabric and other handmade products serving the local community as well as the international market with unprecedented customer attention. It is important to Zahra to learn how to function in an increasingly globalized world, how to influence people and their lives, and how her business can contribute to ensuring peace and harmony in all societies.
Deborah Kakoma launched Zaabu Brand Studios LTD, a marketing and African-business brand resource company, in 2009. Her satisfaction comes from increasing the confidence of local leaders empowering the business community to successfully produce, market, and deliver solutions that add value to their products and services. The Zaabu team is dedicated to building industry competitiveness in way that empowers entrepreneurship in Rwanda and bridges the gap between local commerce and culture.
Mary Katushabe started her business, Unity Law Chamber, on a shoestring in 2009. She began her law practice to serve the the poor and under-served. Mary provides legal assistance in contracts, mediation and negotiation, conflict resolution, and consultation on human rights related issues. Her company follows the principles of excellence, integrity, credibility, and confidence. She insists that Rwanda needs more strong women in leadership who can help with justice, trade, and other areas of the country’s development. She sees her role as an auxiliary of justice because she believes no country can develop without security and justice.
Dr. Rahela Kaveer is a 2010 PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS graduate. She is the director of the Afghan Women Empowering Organization, which helps women in rural communities become independent through economic and nutritional education. She is married with four children and lives in Kabul. This year, she was selected to return to the United States to participate in a conference hosted by the George W. Bush Institute on the economic status of Afghan women.
Razia Mangalis a self-taught tailor, a skill she has relied on as a way to make an income since finishing school. When no one else in her family had a regular income, she used her tailoring skills to become the sole provider for her family. Afghani Costume Design is a small family-owned wedding gown tailoring business that began during the Afghan exile. For more than 10 years the company has enjoyed a competitive edge with their high quality produced clothing.
Chantal Mazimpaka owns Guilgal Creations Company (GCC), the premier provider of event planning service in Rwanda. It is a full service company that provides complete consulting services for weddings and other private and corporate event management. Chantal has worked hard to create jobs for people and to be a role model for others. She has taken many hospitality courses and sees Guilgal Creations as a way to break the cycle of poverty for family and those around her proving that it is possible to come from deep poverty and have the life you believe you can.
Samira Mohabat started the Afghan Mushroom Production Farm after she became trained in mushroom production to help lower the high cost of mushrooms imported into the country. Samira’s business has allowed a generation of women to become income producers, thus becoming self-reliant. She is determined to help her country become a producer of nutritious, safe, and reasonably priced food.
Allen Joy Mbabazi opened East Africa and Beyond Craft Shop, strategically placed in the busiest shopping arcade in town in order to take advantage of its prime shopping district location. Allen’s shop enjoys a competitive advantage over other arts and craft businesses in the area by offering native Rwandan, Kenyan, and Ugandan pieces. Her attention to detail is key in selecting the best from her suppliers. And at the end of the day Allen has a sense of satisfaction knowing the shop not only provides her and her employees an income, but also the women and men who supply her items.
Diana Mbabazi became interested in raising silkworms in 2008 after she made a working visit organized by the Rwanda Private Sector Federation. Upon returning home, she and her husband began an Agro-Industrial based business, Karongi Sericulture Development Scheme LTD, that grows mulberry trees and rears silkworms. Diana sees her business as a way to help the impoverished Karongi district citizens and to increase the diversification of agricultural products in Rwanda.
Sarah Mukandutiye is a 2007 PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS graduate and owns Shema Farm in Rwanda. The farm employs 17 permanent staff and between 60 to 100 part-time workers; it includes dairy farming, fruit and vegetable growing, as well as chicken rearing. Considering the average household in Rwanda is between five to eight members, the farm provides for close to 500 people in her small community. It sells milk to three dairy outlets, has three greenhouses, and produces about 1,000 eggs per day.
Qandi Amaki Nasruddin is a tremendous PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS example of success and one of the Institute’s first graduates. Owner of Balkh Women Craft Association, she is an entrepreneur who sells handmade artisan goods. Amaki is also the founder of the Balkh Women’s Business Association, which unites more than 650 independent business owners who practice trades such as tailoring, carpet weaving, and crafting. She is fulfilling her agreement to “pay it forward” by training more than 234 women to prepare business plans and start micro businesses.
Salma Noori established Golden Day Media and Marketing Company in 2009 together with her friend and partner who was employed with Saba TV for four years. Creating awareness through media programs that are educational, social, and cultural in nature, the professionally trained staff assures clients they will receive quality services and timely delivery. Salma believes that anything is possible by applying herself and wants to be a leader for the women of Afghanistan.
Sahiba Nooristani owns Iconic Event Management Meeting Planners and her vision is to provide a total meeting resource outlet for her customers. Their services will include conferences, exhibitions, seminars, workshops, rate and contract negotiation, complete event planning, on-site management, airline assistance, and cruise assistance. Her most recent accomplishment was the “Kabul International Exhibition 2010″ where she facilitated the participation of 50 Afghan women who showcased and sold Afghan-made products.
Zarmina Popal established The Engineering Training Center’s whose purpose is to create an academic engineering environment for two types of students, post-graduate and experienced engineers who are unfamiliar with new technology. The center’s establishment will help in the reconstruction of Afghanistan, something that Zarmina is very passionate about.
Kije Mugisha Rwamasirabo was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA and did not speak or understand the Rwandan language; a challenge she accepted to help build a better image of Rwanda. Prior to joining the Rwandan government, she worked as a consultant at the United Nations Rwandan sector with both UNICEF and UNDP. She served as a CNN correspondent and the only woman journalist covering the genocide, traveling with the Rwandan troops for the World View Report. Olive Tree TV Productions LTD is a start-up business focused on being the premier TV production company by producing unprecedented, diversified television programming.
Sima Sahar launched Sima Handicraft Company in 2009 with embroidery work done by women from their homes. It grew with the help of a vendor who sold the company’s handicrafts in the market. With the increase in the company’s capital, they expanded into carpet weaving. Sima loves her business because of Afghanistan’s rich culture and history of being a top supplier of handmade products. It is her goal to establish her company in every province of Afghanistan.
Amir Taj Sirat is a 2007 PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS graduate. Sirat owns a soccer and volleyball manufacturing company, Green Way Ball Company, designed to create income for deprived Afghan women in the community. She ran for parliament in 2009 and although the election did not result in her certification, she continues to stay politically involved. Sirat has taken the PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS philosophy to the next step and mentored other women business owners in Afghanistan, greatly contributing to their success.
Francine Umurungi owns Rwanda Fruits & Vegetables (RF&V) which operates in the agriculture sector planting fruits (primarily pineapples) and vegetables. They sell directly to their customers but are expanding their operations into juice and packaged produce. Her mother remains her role model and Francine dreams of being an independent contributor to the economic development of her country. She wants to show that it is possible not to rely on the government for a job, but to create jobs while employing others and developing herself.
Jackline Umutoni began Junction Boutique in 1999 with very little capital and became an MTN distributor of cellular products and services. Although there were financial constraints, the business grew because of its strong principals of customer care, team work, innovations, and training; all contributing to receiving the MTN MOST INNOVATIVE DISTRIBUTOR in 2005.
Astrida Uwera has worked in the media since 2005 and has a passion for writing about women’s issues. She was concerned with the lack of available information in the Rwandan culture on this topic and created an online women’s magazine, Agasaro Women’s Magazine. The magazine promotes Rwandan women’s issues and covers stories from the surrounding areas. Astida hopes to take the magazine to print format soon.
Gloria Uwizera owns GLO CREATIONS, an art & fashion business with a batik art specialty. Gloria overcame significant obstacles to build her business in Rwanda and her commitment is to develop the art & fashion design industry in her country and the East African region. As an entrepreneur, Gloria is passionate about producing fashionable art creation. She believes in the viability of her business and intends to expand it into neighbouring countries.
Shahida Yousufzai plans to open The Afghan Ladies Fitness Center, a women-only health club that provides a personalized environment for women to pursue their fitness goals. The club offers a positive lifestyle program and a weight management program for the woman with an active lifestyle and little time for fitness. Shahida adapts the program to each woman’s unique needs so that they will receive the most effective training program possible. Shahida believes that honoring the authentic connections she makes with others and showing them genuine respect is the doorway to her success.
Rita Zirimwabagabo’s vision is to open a retirement home, Urugwiro Rw’Ababyeyi, which literally translated means “a solace nook for parents” and seeks to create a home environment for the elderly population that will rejuvenate, motivate, and bring back meaning in their lives. The retirement home will provide a safe, clean environment where mobile and healthy clients can participate in innovative activities and companionship.
January 17th, 2011 at 4:04 am
When I read through this information regarding women peace through business program in different countries and how women have helped each other through exchange of ideas and information sharing on business empowement and initiatives,i felt this a good forum for other women to know about this institute and gain alot from experience fellow women around the world which i feel iwould like to join and input where necessary
January 21st, 2011 at 12:15 am
only i have appreciate the way help women and i wanna to be helped
January 30th, 2011 at 5:31 am
this is a great oppurtunity for Afghan women to learn how to own and lead an enterprise ,also how to be a good leader .
I will be glad if you give me the chance to join this program
February 5th, 2011 at 7:13 am
Uganda
How awesome it is for me learn from you and all you do to empower women globally. I would love so very much to be empowered by you if there’s any chance, politically and economically. I dream to be one of women leaders in my country in policy making and being women voice to non-privileged. How can I join your institution for women studies/issues and business?
February 6th, 2011 at 3:32 pm
BH
Am working on a similar initiative with Jewish and Arab women in Akko, Israel. Would be interested in learning and sharing more. Your project is very inspiring and can be copied in other places in the world so that instead of 20 students per year you can reach out to hundreds. Much success and blessings from the Holy Land.
Chaya Gross
February 8th, 2011 at 3:20 am
Thank you,
This is so amaizing and inspiring, and i’m sure i’ve been waiting for it.
I dream of becoming the kind of woman our country (RWANDA) longs for and to inspire every young woman that we can reach our goals through hard working and being creative by reaching up to reach out our community needs.
Therefore, I would like to be part of this,
Be blessed
Lise M.
February 16th, 2011 at 12:59 am
This is a wonderful program which empowers women from around the world to manage their business and impact their communities. I would love to be a part of this program to learn and teach local market women and youths in my country how to run their business.
August 18th, 2011 at 9:13 am
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