Cultivating Fashion and Tradition in Afghanistan

With an eye for fashion and a passion to contribute to her loving hometown, Mohsina Saqeb sought to find her ideal job in the fashion industry. Born in Kabul, Afghanistan into a family of eight, Mohsina followed in her father’s footsteps to become a well-educated business entrepreneur. Having graduated from the PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS® program…

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Securing the “Right Seat” for Rwanda’s Workforce

“I lived a happy childhood, where I felt the warmth of my family until April 7th, 1994.”  Broken into pieces after losing her mother and three siblings, Celine Uwineza found herself battling inner emotions yet determined, now more than ever, to overcome her grief and unleash her desire for a brighter future. Some would say…

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The Battle Against Hunger

Since the genocide against the Tutsis in 1994, Rwanda has fought a battle against its children’s stunting problem. With the country’s population consisting mostly of youth, Rwanda has been pressing efforts to create sustainable resources to transform communities through health andeconomic empowerment. Inspirational women such as Fortunee Uwimana experienced firsthand the loss of not just…

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Weaving Success Through Diversity & Obstacles

Anyone who has ever seen beautiful, handwoven carpets must admit that it takes time and skill, and most importantly, patience for the process. For Zargol Alami, it is a way to put her dedication and abilities to good use toward her wish of expanding the unique handcrafts of Kunduz women throughout the world. Some might…

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DETERMINATION IN RWANDA

M&U Ninda Ltd: Green Energy for All, is a energy product retailer and wholesaler, importing and selling energy saving lighting to engineers and contractors, as well as individual middle-class households in Rwanda. Clarisse is betting on the future needs for energy savings and the desire to offset rising electricity prices. In fact, the Rwandan government is announcing…

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WOMEN FOR PEACE IN NIMROZ

Nimroz, Afghanistan, is perhaps the most raw and untamed province, a desert oasis in the southwestern corner nudged between the borders of Iran and Pakistan where sandstorms and smugglers menace the city regularly. As a drug-smuggling hub, Nimroz provides a financial artery for the Taliban. Here, Hasina Azizi Baluch, a Zaranj City business operator, is…

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Nadege Benimana & Guljan Samar Receive the 2020 Enterprising Women of the Year Award

EW's Monica Smiley announces PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS(r) Class of 2020 Enterprising Women of the Year awards for Afghanistan and Rwanda.

 BY MONICA SMILEY The Enterprising Women of the Year Awards program is considered the most prestigious global recognition program for outstanding women entrepreneurs.  Now in its 18th year, this program recognizes women business owners from the United States and around the world who have financially strong, growing businesses—women who are leaders in their communities, and…

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From ‘Mind is full’ to Mindful

There has been a lot of talk on social media about gaining weight and the lazy habits created during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Everyone is feeling the effects of sheltering in place over the past several months whether it be commercial, personal, or a combination of both. In Afghanistan, PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS® alumnae and Class…

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Brave Faces In Afghanistan

The COVID-19 pandemic saw waves of Afghan men crossing the border from Iran to get back into their home country, a country they once fled. They were terrified of contracting the virus and in trying to escape it, they unknowingly brought it across the border to a country with very little resources to contain and combat it. As…

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COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS IN RWANDA

Rwanda is now slowly easing up on shelter-in-place restrictions and the country is fortunate enough to have no deaths. During quarantine, many of our past students found creative ways to continue serving their community. Kevine Kagirimpunda and Ysolde Shimwe, both class of 2014 alum and owners of UZURI K&Y, made sure that their brand stayed fresh in the…

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