The Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women.

Farzana Ibrahimi has created a new brochure for her business in Afghanistan, Kandahar Health & Development Organization. Way to go, Farzana!

A glimpse at the brochure for Kandahar Health & Development Organization.

Click here to download Page 1 of brochure

Click here to download Page 2 of brochure

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2009 PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS

Welcome to the PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS 2009 information section.

Whether you are just looking, learning, thinking about becoming contributor to the Institute or you are considering applying to become a mentor to our 2009 students, this page contains important facts you’ll want to know!

Women all over the world are embracing the philosophy that a country that is economically sound has a much greater capacity for peace. The best way to develop economic stability is to build a solid middle class through the largest population demographic -WOMEN!

The Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women (IEEW) understands that financial stability is a slow process, but through the mentorship of those that ‘have,’ you can be a part of something very spectacular – the transformation of those who ‘have not.’ We are seeking a pool of mentors to participate in the 2009 Peace through Business® program.

Peace through Business® is a training program designed to provide long-term business education to women entrepreneurs in Afghanistan and Rwanda. Through our private partners, government agencies, and Institute staff, we will provide a business education program in three phases: 1) In-Country Education, 2) Leadership Development, which includes an International Women’s Economic Summit and Mentorship and 3) Pay it Forward.

1) In-Country Education

WHEN: March 1, 2009 – April 30, 2009
WHERE: Rwanda and Afghanistan

Basic business education will be taught to 30 women in Rwanda and 30 women in Afghanistan, which will result in the completion of an in-depth business plan over a period of eight weeks. At the conclusion of the In-Country Education, each of the participants will be invited to apply for Leadership Development. Attendees will be selected based on the performance of their work in class, the evaluation of their business, and the likeliness to return home and Pay Forward.

2) Leadership Development

WHEN: Aug. 10 – 14, 2009
WHERE: Dallas, Texas

The 30 women who have been selected to travel to the United States will engage in a series of in-depth discussions with leading experts on specific business topics. The discussions at Leadership Development are designed to not only enhance the business of the individual participants, but also to teach the participants to be leaders in their community and their country.

• International Women’s Economic Summit
  WHEN: August 17 – 18, 2009
  WHERE: Dallas, TexasLeaders from many NGOs and government agencies around the country will be invited to attend and participate in conversations on economic development in Afghanistan and Rwanda, and how our students can contribute to the attainment of their country’s economic goals. At the conclusion of the International Women’s Economic Summit, the participants will present a document to their country’s ambassadors outlining their commitment to the top three economic issues.Anyone is welcome to attend the Summit.

• Soiree with the Stars
  WHEN: August 17, 2009
  WHERE: Dallas Arboretum

A memorable night in the beautiful, lush gardens of the Dallas Arboretum complete with cocktails hors d’œuvre. Mingle and network with our 2009 PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS Afghan and Rwandan students, our sponsors, contributors, volunteers and dignitaries amidst the vivid seasonal garden blooms.

• Mentorship
  
  WHEN: August 19-23, 2009
  WHERE: Oklahoma and Texas; throughout the United StatesOur 30 students will be matched with an American woman business owner and will live/work with that woman for a total of four days. The purpose is to take all of the information the participants have learned and apply it in real-life scenarios. A secondary purpose is to develop a network of women who may become long-term mentors and potential business contemporaries and allies. It is our hope that both student and mentor will mutually benefit and that the relationship will continue long after the commitment to Peace through Business® is satisfied.

3) Pay it Forward
WHEN: Upon students returning to their country
WHERE: Worldwide

The sustainability of this program lies in the desire and ability of each participant to PAY FORWARD her education to other women in their country. We will assist each participant to fulfill this phase through various educational programs established in each country.

We invite you to participate!

It’s important to receive the formal business education and engage in high-level discussions, but implementing all of that information to real life scenarios is some times tricky. Managing the Work/Life balance while building a business is an art – and you have the opportunity to assist these young women entrepreneurs from Afghanistan and Rwanda to grow their business and build their country.

Peace through business

by Heather Caliendo
The Journal Record August 26, 2009

OKLAHOMA CITY – On a simple bridge in a quiet backyard, a Rwandan and an Oklahoman take a moment to reflect on their journey.

Nadia Keza and Angie Hendricks talk on a bridge on Hendricks’ property in south Oklahoma City. Keza’s stay with Hendricks has built business and cultural bridges for the two women. (Photo by Maike Sabolich)

“We have a great relationship,” said Angie Hendricks, president and chief executive of Bentley Hedges Travel Services in Oklahoma City. “But I think it takes a lot of trust with each other, and that trust will allow us to go forward.”

Lori Rasmussen from OETA’s Oklahoma News Report covers PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS students, Saudah Nalule and Roqia Sajjadi, who mentored in the Oklahoma City area. Click here to learn more about OETA.

Rezai operates the Afghanistan Women & Men Development Organization at Jawzak Village.   AWMDO has been open since September 2008 and is in the business of processing and packaging almonds.  Comparing her operation to that of local processing, Rezai has been able to improve in the areas of  quality control, production control and packaging.

AWMDO employs 24 women and a varying number of contractors as work is available.  Rezai is currently negotiating to handle the almonds from additional farms.

* Denotes that student has been selected to travel to the US to participate in Leadership Development at Northwood University in August 2009

After leaving Pakistan, where she was a refugee, Marian traveled to Afghanistan and started a handy craft business under the name Mariam Handy Craft.  She eventually created “Mariama Education and Culture Association” which  trained 370 women in tailoring and literacy.  She now sells the goods made by these women.

* Denotes that student has been selected to travel to the US to participate in Leadership Development at Northwood University in August 2009

Gloria Uwizera,  Peace through Business® 2008 graduate and owner of GLO CREATIONS sent photos of her new endeavor.

She reports:

I would like to share some news with you. For the first news: After my return from the US, I thought of making cushion covers but It took me some time to prepare the designs for it.  The first cushion covers were released in  mid-October last year. Since that time, the cushion covers were selling better than t-shirts. This year the demand for a variety of sizes is there.  Read the rest of this entry »

Juliet Mbabazi – Peace through Business®2008 graduate and Co-Owner of Real Innovations (http://www.realinnovations.rw/explore.php), an event and branding company  reports great successes in her business:

Negotiations are underway with two sizable companies for contract awards.   Though talks continue, one contract is near Read the rest of this entry »

Parween is a reseller of craft products such as clothes, including silk garments, small rugs, jewelry and tools for crafts people.

She opened her business in 2007 and has one employee.

She operates with one partner.

* Denotes that student has been selected to travel to the US to participate in Leadership Development at Northwood University in August 2009.

Shakila owns a women’s handicraft resale association west of Kabul City.  Shakila provides raw material to women crafters.  Shakila uses primarily Hazara people who are expert handicrafts providers.  When goods are complete, Shakila resells the product to two shops in Kabul, distributing the proceeds equally.

Shakila has two partners and a total of 35 crafters.

* Denotes that student has been selected to travel to the US to participate in Leadership Development at Northwood University in August 2009.