The PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS® Program
Mentorship Overview
The Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women’s (IEEW) PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS® Program provides long-term business education to women entrepreneurs in Afghanistan and Rwanda. The program is based on the theory that a country that is more economically sound has a greater capacity for peace. IEEW offers two mentorship opportunities:
1. eMentorship with students going through the 8 week in-country training
2. In-person mentorship with students selected to travel to the United States
The PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS® Program is implemented in three phases:
- In-Country Education
- Leadership Development (U.S.)
- Pay It Forward
Currently, our classroom sites are in Kabul, Afghanistan and Kigali, Rwanda.
PART I
In-Country Education
In-Country Education is an intensive 8 weeks of basic business education for 30 women business owners. Each class lasts four hours, once a week for eight weeks. The class is facilitated and conducted by a former PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS® Program student, and the curriculum created by Northwood University, focuses on entrepreneurship development, improving technical skills and creating leaders with an emphasis on:
- Basic Accounting and Finance
- Marketing, Promotion and Selling
- Operations Management
- Human Resources
- Basic Banking
- Business Plan Development
The class culminates with the development of an in-depth business plan designed specifically for their business. That plan is submitted electronically to the Institute staff in the United States. Every chapter lesson will include a test and homework assignments. Since the books are written in English, students must be able to read and comprehend English in order to participate in the class.
PART II
Leadership Development
Following in-country training, 30 graduates (15 from each country) are selected by a committee of American funders, supporters, and business owners to travel to the US to participate in Leadership Development in July, 2012.
Although In-Country Education provides the business basics, there is a higher degree of business acumen that can be obtained through leadership skills and mentorship. Leadership Development builds on the education the students have already received by training the students in business areas beyond the basics and on how to be leaders in their country. Leadership Development is divided in to three phases:
1. Business Bootcamp at Northwood University, Cedar Hills, TX campus
2. One week of mentorship living and working with an American woman busines owner
3. International Women’s Economic Summit in Washington, D.C.
To be considered for U.S. travel for participation in Leadership Development, the following criteria will be considered:
- Class attendance
- 80% Overall Grade
- Own a legitimate business (Facilitator will visit and help evaluate each business)
- Score a 75% or higher on written and oral English test
- Pass a physical examination by a designated doctor
Additional Requirements for selection:
- Student must apply for and obtain their own Visa (about $130 USD)
- Program Fee ($250 USD)
- Willingness to travel to the United States for three weeks
PART III
Pay It Forward
It is the responsibility of each student to Pay Forward their education to other women entrepreneurs in their country. This is accomplished through the PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS Alumnae Association’s training classes or through individual mentorship.
More on Mentorship
For Leadership Development mentorship, each student is matched with an American woman business owner and will live/work with that WBO for one week. By mentoring a PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS® Program student, you become a part of a unique network of women who hopefully become long-term business colleagues. It is our expectation that both student and mentor will benefit from this relationship and that it will continue long after the commitment to the PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS® Program is completed. Students are required to communicate with their mentors for at least one full year after completing the program.
Mentorship Timeline
- January, 2012: Students are matched with an eMentor to assist them in becoming more successful during their in-country education
- April, 2012: Students invited to participate in Leadership Development will be matched with a mentor from a similar industry
- January – July, 2012: Leadersthip Development mentors are able to develop an on-line relationship prior to the student’s arrival
- July, 2012: Students live/work with mentors for one week.
- July, 2012: At the end of July, mentors attend (if possible) the International Women’s Economic Summit and student Graduation.
- July 2012 to July 2013: Students and mentors maintain an on-line relationship, assisting each other for a minimum of one year
Mentorship Requirements
- eMentor – Provide support, advice and guidance to your mentee via email and/or Skype for 8 weeks during in- country education portion of the program.
- Mentor/Host a Student – If you are chosen to be a mentor/host, a student whose business type matches yours will live and work with you for one week to receive on-site training as well as guidance in managing a career, social responsibilities, and work-family balance.
- Provide private sleeping space with bath and all meals for the student
- Be available for at least one conference call with the Institute prior to the women’s arrival
- Quarterly reports documenting progress with your student to be provided to IEEW for one year
The Institute does not encourage or endorse any participant business and makes no guarantees of goods or services. The Institute acts only as the networking conduit. We are 100% neutral and cannot become involved in brokering deals.
