Students gather in the yellow classroom to hear candidates give their speeches

We began by holding speeches from all candidates: thirteen students ran for a total of seven positions (second place for President automatically becomes Vice President). Executive Director Lisa Martilotta opened by emphasizing the importance of transparency and fairness in elections, and the students agreed to be democratic and unbiased.

Candidates Louise, Betty, and Fais give their speeches

The speeches were compelling, touching on subjects like transportation and lunches, and received many standing ovations! After the candidates had finished, students stood to ask questions: If you plan on being transparent, can we also count on you to be our confidant if we come to you with private issues? How do you plan on organizing student transportation? What other tangible goals would you hope to achieve as president?

Students react to particularly rousing speeches

The following day the students voted. Two polling stations were set up, and the students cast their ballots quickly and efficiently. To make the process more official, we had each student approve their ballot with their thumbprint.

A democratic and orderly Election Day!

After counting the ballots several times, finally the results were in! Please meet our new Student Government (from left to right):

The January-August 2012 Student Government

President- Fais Uwizeye

Vice President- Julian Kankunda

Minister of IT- Betty Umugiraneza

Minister of Campus Affairs- Nadege Uwase Munyaburanga

Campus Welfare Counselor- Nadine Niyitegeka

Secretary- Aphisan Nyiratunga

Yellow Class Representative- Vestine Uwamahoro

Green Class Representative- Joselyne Uwimana

The students were incredibly excited, and celebrated by raising our new President, Fais, up on their shoulders.

President Fais receives literal and electoral support from the voters

Congratulations to our new Akilah politicians!

Outgoing President Florence (left) and incoming President Fais

Big Sisters are responsible for developing positive relationships with their Little Sisters that will have a direct and lasting impact on their lives. They are expected to support their Little Sisters for one year through their academic challenges and any other aspect that may be an obstacle to their personal, academic, or professional path.

Program manager Irene Kagoya announces the names of the mentors and their mentees

Year Two students meet with their mentees at least three times each semester and submit a brief report about their mentoring experience to the Leadership & Ethics Instructor, Irene Kagoya, at the end of the semester.

Through this program, our Year One students will receive support in navigating the rigorous academic environment of Akilah, and learn to appreciate the values of the school. The Year Two students will benefit from this relationship as well by sharing their knowledge and honing their leadership skills, and will help to develop a culture of mentoring on campus.

This program will become an integral and longlasting institution at Akilah, and will allow students to pass down the invaluable skills gained here from class to class. Let the mentoring begin!

The Advisory Council serves as our “brain trust”, and gives highly knowledgeable ad experienced individuals the opportunity to play a critical role in Akilah’s development and to touch the lives of thousands of Rwandan women.

Akilah staff Irene, Kim, Denise, and Robert

Founder Elizabeth Dearborn Davis presented to the Council, giving a brief overview of the many highlights of 2011. We had two students travel to Hong Kong for 6-week internships; student Jackie Kirabo received a scholarship to complete an event planning internship in Barcelona, Spain at Simulia’s annual technology conference; and students Anita and Florence launched their own clothing and handbag business.

Our second annual Metropolitan Safari tour was a huge success, with Elizabeth and students Allen and Noella raising over $140,000 for the scholarship fund in 13 different US cities through over 70 speaking events. Major highlights were the attendance of Bill Gates Sr. to our Seattle event and his donation of $30,000 from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, as well as World Bank President Bob Zoellick speaking as our guest of honor at the Washington, DC event.

Elizabeth then discussed our 2012 goals, with the main announcement being the restructuring of our academic program. Akilah is now offering one core Business Diploma, with a Focus in Hospitality Management (currently underway) or Entrepreneurship (beginning in September 2012). We also celebrated the launch of Akilah Farms, made possible by a generous grant from the Segal Foundation, which will provide lunch for our students and provide a revenue stream as we sell produce to local businesses.

From left to right: Chantal Gatali, Pastor Philbert Kalisa, Jackie Karuletawa-Kakiza, Elizabeth Dearborn Davis, Solange Katerebe, Shirley Randall, Edwin Sabuhoro, Denise Omani, Dave Hughes, Jean Luc Miravumba, Lisa Martilotta, and Albert Nkamukwereka.

The meeting was a huge success, filled with enthusiasm and new ideas for the coming year. We look forward to meeting with the Council again soon!

Students Alice, Esperance, Euphrasie, and Francine chatting before class begins

Class schedules hang on a banana leaf board in the hallway

We currently have two class years on campus: our Year 1 students (the Green and Yellow classes), half of whom finished the Foundation Year program in December, and our Year 2 students (the Blue class), who will graduate in August.

Lunch time at Akilah! Students wait in line for the traditional Rwandan meal

We have many things to look forward to in 2012. In August, Akilah will reach a huge milestone, as we celebrate our inaugural graduating class of 42 students. We are so proud of them and can’t wait to see where their Akilah diplomas will take them!

The hilly campus provides a perfect lunch spot to enjoy the breeze and a scenic view of Kigali

Another big step for Akilah will be the launch of our second academic track, Entrepreneurship, will begin with the next academic year in September. We are currently recruiting new students for the September school year, and look forward to increasing the Akilah family.

Students love the new outdoor furniture – they've never seen picnic tables in Rwanda before!

We have three new hires this year:

Denise Ward, one of our Hospitality Instructors

Denise Ward, originally from the Bahamas, is a Hospitality Instructor. She attended university at Johnson & Wales, one of our academic partners, and founded The Hospitality Guru International, a hospitality and tourism consulting company.

Maxine Silby, Hospitality Instructor and owner of Food & Stuff

Maxine Silsby, with a background in hotel management in the UK, teaches our students about Food and Beverage Catering. She is a co-founder of the successful catering business Food & Stuff here in Rwanda, which is an Akilah partner and employs several of our students as part of our Internship Program.

Mary Patton Davis, our Communications & Marketing Associate

Mary Patton Davis is joining us from Washington, DC, where she worked at prestigious political advertising firm GMMB. She graduated from Georgetown University in 2010 with a B.A. in political science and French, and will be Akilah’s Communications & Marketing Associate (and coincidentally, also writes Akilah’s blogposts!).

We also have three visiting fellows this year: Holly Ziskal, Georgina McNerney, and Ariel Kapur.

We are so excited for the 2012 school year, and all of the amazing accomplishments and changes that will come along with it. We hope that many of you will be able to come visit us in Kigali and witness them for yourselves. Happy New Year!

Shelby leading the class

We had a great turnout, with about 25 participants, and many other donations from residents on the island who skipped the class but wanted to show their support for Akilah nonetheless. Their fears were well-founded; Shelby definitely put us through a grueling workout!

Doing the dreaded "bicycles"

The Abs for Akilah class was a huge success; we raised a total of $2,809 in class fees and donations! We hope to make this an annual tradition on Useppa and bring even more participants to the beach. Maybe next year we will hold a yoga class!

Almost finished!

Many thanks to Shelby and the Calambokidis family for organizing this event, and the Greer family for distributing flyers and spreading the word around the island. What a fantastic way to end 2011!

family - and hope.

 In 2010, she joined the Akilah Institute in order to gain business and entrepreneurial skills.

She quickly found a job at a boutique hotel in Kigali, and used this income to send her siblings to school.

Now she has launched her own business with another Akilah student, Anita, employing women from her village to produce clothing and bags for local purchase.

“Our business will employ women and help develop our community.

Akilah has changed my life and given me hope.

What Akilah has done for me, I will do for others.”

-Florence Mukundwa

Please consider providing this life-changing opportuntity to other young women in Rwanda.

 A donor has offered to match, dollar-for-dollar, all contributions to Akilah before January 1, up to $25,000.  DONATE NOW.

 Your support makes it possible to provide scholarship support to the

new class of students at the Akilah Institute in Kigali.

Marriott International hosted Metropolitan Safari DC at the Mayflower Hotel. Bob Zoellick, President of the World Bank, was our guest speaker, along with Rwandan Ambassador Kimonyo and Marriott VP Kathleen Matthews.

Goals of the evening:

1. Celebrate the start of our 3rd academic year

2. Share our successes, challenges, highlights, and more. Learn about the Akilah model/school culture, and insight we have gained in our first two years of educating young women in Rwanda.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Hosted by the Athena Society
6:30-8:00 pm
Horizon Bay
800 West Azeele Street
Tampa, FL 33606
Drinks & Appetizers

Attendance is free, but please RSVP to Elizabeth@AkilahInstitute.org

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