
School has started! In Afghanistan and Rwanda for women business owners!
The applications came in slow at first, but by the closing date, we had 123 applications to fill 60 positions in the 2009 Peace through Business® In-Country training. Thirty women from Rwanda and thirty women from Afghanistan have committed to an 8 week course conducted in their country by the Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women. During this intense training, each student will spend 4 hours in class one day a week, and countless hours at home engaged in research, reading, worksheets, and the long process of developing their business plans.
The women are very happy to have the opportunity to attend this class and receive this valuable education. However, the program doesn’t stop there! The top 15 women from each country will be invited to attend a 3 week trip to the United States to engage in intense talks with industry experts, educators, and public officials on economic and business topics. Their stay will be spent at Northwood University in Cedar Hill, Texas (just outside Dallas). Time spent in the United States for these 30 energized women will include:
Leadership Development – A week of high-level discussions with experts on specific business, leadership, and public policy topics. August 10-14, 2009
- International Women’s Economic Summit -Leaders from small businesses, many NGOs and government agencies around the US will be invited to attend and participate in conversations with participants on economic development in Afghanistan and Rwanda. August 17-18, 2009
- Mentorship -Real world implementation of business skills by living and working with an American woman business owner. August 19-23, 2009
Call for mentors!!
These women are very grateful for the education that they’ve received, but what they really crave is the one-on-one relationship with a mentor. Exit interviews from previous classes said over and over how much they appreciate the efforts of the mentor and volume of information that they took home with them.
In anticipation of this year’s class, we have a goal to develop a pool of over 100 mentors who are willing to devote 5 days living and working with one of these students. It is an experience that you and your family will talk about for years to come.
If you are willing to serve as a mentor and would like to be considered for a match, please go to our website (www.ieew.org) and complete a mentorship application. The larger our pool of mentors, the greater the possibility of having a true business match for these women.
Meet this year’s students!
It is a pleasure to get to know the Peace through Business® students and we are certain that this year’s group will be no exception! Before you read below to learn more about our students, be sure to go to our website (www.ieew.org) and read all about the women in this year’s program.
Deborah Kagwisagye
Generations Impact was created to train orphans and former sex workers how to design and create jewelry design and wall hangings. The business will soon include tannery products to further generate income.
Deborah worked in the social department at church and recognized that many needed more help than the church could afford or provide. By working with the poor and a few trusted partners, Deborah created Generations Impact and structured the business to share profits with those who do the work. This allows anyone to be a part of her business. As the trainees become self-supporting, they can move on to jobs that pay more, while continuing to offer service back to Generations Impact socially. Deborah chose this business to be able to support her family and help others.
Fakhria Samadi
Fakhria Samadi owns a beauty salon in Kabul. Even as women were being persecuted during the Taliban rule, Fakhria earned her diploma in business and moved to Pakistan where she worked and trained in a beauty salon. Upon her return to Afghanistan, she became a licsensed beautician and opened her own beauty shop in 1999. Her salon offers make-up, haircuts and styling, waxing and highlighting. Fakhria wants to learn how to grow her business so she can afford to train new students in the salon business. She currently has 5 employees.
Students in the 2009 Peace through Business® Afghanistan and Rwanda, enjoy the first day of their 8 week class with Facilitators Manizha Wafeq (Afghanistan) and Eron Nsenga (Rwanda).

2009 Afghanistan In-Country Class
It is the pleasure of many former Peace through Business® students to assist during the In-Country training in fulfillment of their Pay it Forward obligation. In order for the country to stand on its own, the citizens must be willing to share and support each other.
I have spent countless hours telling you about the amazing and enthusiastic women who are set on changing their circumstances. They have a way of slipping into your heart and bringing rich understanding to this world. These are the faces of the 2009 students and I invite you to read about them on our website and mentor with them this summer. You will not regret sharing your world and receiving so much in return.
Finally, please consider attending the International Women’s Economic Summit being held in Dallas, August 17-18. If you can’t be a mentor, this is a great time to get to know all of the women during the Summit!
I wish to extend a very special thank you to Holly Hixson in Rwanda who has spent countless hours insuring this program is successful.