PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS 2009: In the beginning
August 8th, 2009 Posted by admin
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.”
