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Akilah Institute for Women

Vital Stats

Merrin J

Tampa, FL

people helped50
People Doing It12

The Problem

The Akilah Institute for Women transforms the lives of young Rwandan women by empowering them with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to find meaningful employment and to serve as leaders in their communities. The Akilah curriculum is a direct response to the needs of the private sector and emphasizes leadership development, practical training, and entrepreneurial skills. The first course at Akilah, the Hospitality Studies Diploma, prepares students to work in the fastest growing sector of the Rwandan economy. We founded Akilah to create the next generation of wise female leaders and entrepreneurs in Rwanda.

Plan of Action

Akilah opened in February 2010 with our inaugural class of 50 young women ages 18-25. All students received a full scholarship and recently completed their first semester of classes in Leadership and Ethics, Health and Nutrition, Intensive English, and Introduction to Hospitality. These young women are part of the generation that has suffered the consequences of the 1994 genocide. They were children during the conflict, and many of them lost their parents and siblings. 1/3 of them serve as heads of their households. At Akilah, they will earn a higher education diploma and gain the market-relevant skills to propel them onto a professional career path and in turn serve as leaders in their communities.