The Akilah Institute for Women » Uncategorized

Students for Social Change

admin — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 12:19:19 +0000

As the academic year draws to an end, Akilah would like to reflect on the many inspiring student-led Social Change Projects, which helped communities around Kigali in various ways. Through the course of these projects, Akilahs students have proved themselves as exemplary leaders.

Among the projects developed and implemented by students were: Family Planning Education in Kacyiru, Domestic Violence Solutions in Kimironko, Changing Poor Attitudes Toward Work in Bumbogo, Malnutrition Solutions in Nyamirambo, Human Rights Workshops in Nyamata and Unwanted Pregnancies Education in Rwanda.

In order to successfully implement these projects, students conducted workshops on practical training and worked closely with local communities. Furthermore, students obtained training materials, such as project manuals, which can be used by fellow students for future reference.

All of these projects have afforded students the opportunity to bring the skills and knowledge that they have gained inside of the classroom to an outside setting. As a result, students have improved their abilities in project planning, implementation and reporting. In addition, their level of confidence has greatly improved. In the spirit of hospitality, students have created and maintained strong relationships with community leaders.

Through these projects, Akilah students are transforming the lives of their community members and developing progressive philanthropic attitudes- something uncommon in most African communities.

All this would not have been possible without the support of VGIF, our mentors who have guided the students throughout their projects, and the entire Akilah community that made this possible.

Alice, Peace and Jackie leading a small group discussion on domestic violence solutions in Kimironko

Students plant a sample kitchen garden at Akilah

End-of-Year Student Showcase

admin — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 16:26:22 +0000

This week on campus, students finalized plans for their End-Of-Year 1 Showcase! The students will be randomly assigned to 4 separate groups, and each group with have a faculty member to help “coach” the students. The Showcase will involve four separate modules: drama, music, debate and a quiz bowl. The students have chosen to host the event on the Friday before finals week, November 18. Additionally, students will invite independent judges from their mentor and business partner communities to judge the event! The campus as a whole is extremely excited for this first-ever student showcase, which will tie a nice bow on the first year of the Akilah Hospitality Management Diploma Program. We are proud to announce that nearly 25 percent of the Class of 2012 are already gainfully employed in the industry!

Incoming Class at Akilah

admin — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 02:23:09 +0000

Akilah has accepted 50 new students who will start the Diploma in Hospitality Management on January 9, 2012.

Patience is a member of the Class of 2013.

22 years old, Patience was born in Uganda and moved to Rwanda shortly after the 1994 genocide. She studied History and Economics in high school, but when she didn’t receive a government scholarship to university, she had no other options for higher education. Patience currently works full-time as a waitress in a coffee shop and uses her salary to pay for her younger brother to go to secondary school.

“This is my chance to go to college, I’ve never seen a school that gives women this kind of opportunity. When I got the call, it was a dream come true.”

The Launch of Akilah Tours

admin — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 16:30:43 +0000

Over the past week, Akilah Tours welcomed its first ever visitors! The company, run by two Akilah students, planned a culturally enriching itinerary for the two guests. Highlights of the trip included visits to Volcanoes National Park to visit the golden monkeys and a journey to Akagera to observe the natural beauty and wildlife of Rwanda, as well as a night spent enjoying the serenity of Lake Kivu. In addition, the company was able to organize opportunities for the two visitors to meet with various nonprofit organizations, such as Women for Women International, Garden in Health and Search for Common Ground. The two even managed to squeeze in a visit to the Akilah Campus. The company managers, Grace and Fais, both advanced year students, had a blast planning the trip! The girls had been hard at work organizing every detail of the trip in the weeks prior their clients’ arrival and were eager to welcome their first guests. They both proved themselves as natural leaders and experts in the hospitality and customer care industry. Their first taste of hands-on exposure to the world of tourism was an invaluable learning experience, and we are sure that they will continue to excel through Akilah Tours.