The Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women.

The 2009 PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS Afghan students arrive in the U.S. after their long journey.

Well, the eagles have landed. The Afghan and Rwandan women of the 2009 PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS program have arrived to their final destination: Dallas, Texas … America! It only took six groups of flights, five airport shuttle runs, 12 (temporarily) missing pieces of luggage and three trips to Wal-Mart … but the women are safe and sound and so happy and grateful to be in the United States and for this opportunity of a lifetime.

The Afghan women were the first to arrive, and after flying from Kabul to Dubai (16 hours straight in the air) to Atlanta and then to Dallas, needless to say, they were tired. But, that didn’t stop them from giving their “Rwandan friends” (as they called them) a warm welcome when they arrived on campus several hours later. In the midst of eating dinner, as the Rwanda women entered the dining hall, every single one of the Afghan women immediately stopped eating, stood up from their seats and extended hands and hugs.

The global adventure for these women has begun. Farghana Alimy, a boutique owner from Afghanistan said it best in her introduction during the day’s cultural exchange.

“I’ve come here to connect Afghan women with a global world.”

The Institute couldn’t have put it better. In bringing these two cultures together on the same campus this year, the

Immy Kamarade as she introduced herself to the full PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS group.

door to international partnership opportunities has truly been opened. Immy Kamarade, who owns and operates a coffee plantation from Rwanda, expressed her eagerness to pay forward the knowledge she will gain from her PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS program … even before her Leadership Development has begun.

“I just sat down and thought about it, and the effort that this has taken,” she said. “I want to thank the Institute for this seed of love. Where there is love, all will be well. And I promise to plant that seed when I return to my country.”

Despite their distinct differences, the women from each country are finding the similarities between them. One of the Rwandan women helped break the ice with laughter.

“I’m not married, and I’m still searching,” she began. “So, if you know anybody – American, Afghan – I don’t mind.”

Laughter filled the room.

Their goals are big and their spirits are high. Annette Karenzi, owner of a Curves-type gym, is no exception.

“My dream is to own a five-star hotel,” she said proudly during her introduction.

We are only two days into the program, and there are so many more to come. This year’s group of women are phenomenal – we know that they have the ability to bring change to their countries – and bring peace through business.

Shahrbanoo Rezai, who owns an almond packaging company in Afghanistan spoke of the woman’s role in rebuilding Afghanistan and creating peace.

“I come from a province that is very deprived and very poor, because it was just established six years ago,” she explained. “But, I am so happy to be an Afghan and to belong to one country. We see the impact of the past and now the present – and now, we the Afghan people really want just peace. At least we can try for our future.”

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Khalida Dunya is a graduate of the Peace through Business® 2009 In Country training, and has been selected to travel to the US for Leadership Development in August 2009.

Her company “Ball Making Training and Production” is a natural outgrowth of her tailoring business and her association with Amir Taj.

Amir Taj is a Peace through Business® 2007 graduate and mentored Khalida Dunya to help her build a business similar to her own ball making company. Our students are taught to Pay Forward the training they received in the US from their affiliation with IEEW. This is an excellent example of our students taking home their training and empowering other women in their community.

Today Taj buys production from Khalida and continues to mentor her.

It is Khalida Dunya’s wish to continue to grow her business, to become a leader in her community, adding employees and contribute to the economic growth of the region.

IEEW will provide Kahlida with additional tools to accomplish her goal during the Leadership Development and International Women’s Economic Conference in Dallas, TX in August 2009.

Students in both Afghanistan and Rwanda have now completed their course work In-County. IEEW staff and volunteers have evaluated the businesses of each of the women, reviewed the grades and participation during In-Country classes and have chosen the students who will continue to the next phase of Peace through Business® 2009.

The following women will travel to the US for Leadership Development and the International Women’s Summit, which begins August 10, 2009 at Northwood University, Cedar Hills, TX.

Afghanistan: Farghana Alima, Razia Arefi, Ataie Asma, Khalida Dunya, Farzana Ebrahimi, Andeisha Farid, Jamila Ghairat, Hamida Hassan, Frazan Nabiyar Raufi, Shakila Rozbeh, Roqia Sajjadi, Rezai Shahrbanoo, Parween Usufi, Mariam Yousufi.

Rwanda: Saudah Nalule, Joan Twagira, Annette Karenzi, Lydie Hakizimana, Sarah Mukandutiye, Deborah Kagwisagye, Annette Karemera, Josephine Mbabazi, Marlene Nyirubutama, Catherine Bitwayiki, Francoise Uwammwezi, Nadia Kamwenubusa, Joy Kansangire, Jane Natukunda and Immy Abine.

Read about these students and their businesses under our “2009 PtB Students” tab or click here.

IEEW and the Honorable Mujuwamariya, Rwanda Minister of Gender

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Today the IEEW delegation to Rwanda met with the Minister of Gender, the Honorable Mujuwamariya. The discussion centered on the work IEEW is doing in Rwanda, the involvement of past Peace through Business® graduates in our work and what work is still needed in this country.

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Pictured (l-r) Lin Weigel, Darcie Harris, Mary Melon The Honorable Mujuwamariya, Martha Parker, Desma Reid Coleman, Holly Hixson.

Martha Parker, Darcie Harris, student Cathy Bitwayiki and Mary Melon

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IEEW is also meeting with Peace through Business®2009 students.

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Peace through Business® 2009 In-Country Afghanistan Graduating Class

Manizha Wafeq, IEEW Instructor in Afghanistan and Peace through Business® 2007 alumni, sent photos and a report of the celebrated graduation of the Peace through Business®2009 In-Country students. Of the original 30 enrolled, 23 completed the curriculum developed by Northwood University.

Guest speakers for the event included the Director General of the Economic Empowerment Department of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs (MoWA), Mr. Kabir Haqjo, CEO of the Afghan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI), and Mrs. Guljan Zmarai, CEO of the Afghan Women Business Federation (AWBF) . Peace through Business® 2007 and 2008 graduates Kulsoom Hashimi, Amir Taj Sirat, Mushgan Wafiq, Kobra Zaifi, Soraya Ayoubi and Zainul Arab participated in the event by introducing guest speakers and handing out Certificates of Completion.

Mr. Haqjo awarding graduation certificates

Mr. Haqjo stressed women’s roles in economic, social and political activities as vital for a country because women are over 50% of the country’s population and if half of the population is strengthened and activated, it means economic productivity is increased and ultimately the country’s economic growth is accelerated. He also provided all information about ACCI’s services and membership information to the business owners.

Ms. Guljan Zmerai, CEO of AWBF emphasized women’s participation in the business area and encouraged women to set long-term goals for them to grow from small to large enterprises and provide employment to more men and women of this country and improve their livelihood.

Past graduates spoke to the class of their experiences including the importance of having long term vision when one starts a business (Mushgan); the follow-up by IEEW with graduates, continuing to address problems and provide support (Kulsoom Hashimi) and continuing encouragement and support to inspire graduates to be active (Amir Taj).

The event closed with refreshments. We are so proud of these women who want to be self-sufficient and provide leadership for their family and their country. We look forward to welcoming many of them to the United States in August!

Over the next 5 days, we will receive blogs, pictures and news items from the Peace through Business ® delegation on the ground in Rwanda, Africa. We will pass a “sampling” to you every couple of days. Please find below a combination of messages. Visit these websites and blog sites for additional information daily: www.ieew.org; www.darcieharris.com; and www.journalrecord.com Follow the delegation: Mary Mélon, Martha Parker, Desma Reid-Coleman, Lin Weigel, and Darcie Harris.

Remarks from Chief of Staff Lin Massey-Weigel as she travels with IEEW Board Members to Rwanda for In-Country Graduation:

The land of a ‘thousand hills’ is just as beautiful as when I left in December.

It was a very long trip to get 1/2 way around the world, but the US Peace through Business® delegation to Rwanda arrived in one piece. However,it took Desma Reid-Coleman (IEEW board member) 3 days and 5 countries to get here - but what a trooper she is to arrive and go right into a speech at graduation. It is Sunday night about 11:30 in Rwanda, and the graduation is over. We had a very spirited event with lots of African dancing, good speakers, and excited women. It is very hard to select only 15 out of the 30 to come to the US and leave behind the other 15. However, all of the women are very dedicated to not only growing their businesses, but to helping other women along the way.

Ambassador Symington (US Ambassador to Rwanda) spoke at the graduation with inspiring words and a terrific sense of humor. Other speakers include the IEEW delegation of Desma Reid-Coleman, Darcie Harris, Mary Melon, Martha Parker and yours truly. Rwandan Minister Mujuwamariya (Minister of Gender) was schedule to speak, however had to cancel at the last minute due to a death.

Tomorrow starts an exciting week of visits to the businesses of the selected 15 women and a few political visits. I look forward to sending you information and pictures as we go along. Traveling with Mary, Darcie, Desma, and Martha has been a terrific joy. Watch for links to Mary and Darcie’s websites as well!

From Martha Parker, IEEW Board Member and President of Parker & Associates:

Have arrived! After 30+ hours of travel, the arrival into Rwanda was such a treat. We were met at the airport by many of students bearing flowers. The city of Kigali looks much like San Diego by night - with hills and hills of lights spread out as far as the eye can see. Everywhere people are out on their motor scooters - talking, laughing and enjoying the wonderful mild weather.

My hosts and I stayed up for several hours just talking about the program - the world and the changes in Rwanda. They said how much the program has meant to the women - and to the country as a whole. this program is seen as a major step in building the capabilities for the future of Rwanda.

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Also, visit other members of our delegation Mary Melon, Publisher of the Journal Record who is blogging here and Darcie Harris, President-EWF International is blogging from her site - click here.

We have been blessed to have so many women currently enrolled in our In-Country training. Look at these classes.

These photos show the enrolled students from Afghanistan and Rwanda as of March 9, 2009.

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Betty Kinyemma Habimana, Peace through Business®2008 graduate sent this update on March 3, 2009:

“PtB2008 is bearing fruits every other day! Talk about Networking! Networking was a topic commented on by every speaker that shared with us while at Oklahoma Christian University. Read the rest of this entry »

The deadline for student applications closed 2/25/09. The selection committee is now receiving all applications for consideration. Over 120 applications from Afghanistan and Rwanda were received. Selected students will be notified in the next couple of weeks and we will introduce those students to you on our website.

We look forward to bringing you news about the selected students and the beginning of their training.

While in Rwanda scouting new locations for a Women’s Business Center, Lin Weigel of IEEW visited each Peace through Business®2008 business. She found progress, application of the new ideas learned from Oklahoma Christian University (OC) in Edmond, OK during the education portion of the program. She found students still corresponding with their Oklahoma mentors. She found thriving, successful business women who are willing to help us help more women business owners in 2009.