The Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women.

We have been blessed to have so many women currently enrolled in our In-Country training. Look at these classes.

These photos show the enrolled students from Afghanistan and Rwanda as of March 9, 2009.

Betty Kinyemma Habimana, Peace through Business®2008 graduate sent this update on March 3, 2009:

“PtB2008 is bearing fruits every other day! Talk about Networking! Networking was a topic commented on by every speaker that shared with us while at Oklahoma Christian University. I am naturally a quiet person, but because of the empowerment that I got from experienced business women while participating inPeace through Business® programme in the US, I now try my level best to market myself whenever I am at gatherings, be it church, weddings, etc. Read the rest of this entry »

The deadline for student applications closed 2/25/09. The selection committee is now receiving all applications for consideration. Over 120 applications from Afghanistan and Rwanda were received. Selected students will be notified in the next couple of weeks and we will introduce those students to you on our website.

We look forward to bringing you news about the selected students and the beginning of their training.

January 22, 2009 - IEEW will be sending out e-mail announcements to women’s groups, our supporters, former students and various Rwanda and Afghanistan government agencies to solicit their help in identifying potential mentors and students. All the requirements and details are here on our site under Programs. Follow our progress here! Help us bring these students to the US, to be trained at Northwood University, to participate in Leadership Development Training, to be a part of the International Women’s Economic Summit and to take home their knowledge and Pay It Forward.

Planning is underway for our 2009 program in Afghanistan and Rwanda. We want to keep you updated on our activities. Planning is almost complete and we just completed a site visit on Monday 1-12-09 to Northwood University in Cedar Hills, TX to view the facilities. The students from both countries will be studying and living at this facility as the guests of our partner, Northwood University. Dr. Keith Pretty, President of Northwood University and Dr. Kevin Fegan, Provost, Texas Area met with us to gather details and discuss the needs of the program. In addition to our discussions, we toured the beautiful campus - set in a park like terrain with a slow winding drive throughout. Cedar Hills is conveniently located about 25 minutes from DFW airport, easily accessible to many airlines and hopefully that location will help us keep costs down.

We are updating our website to allow for students and mentors to make application on-line. We will be sending out an annoucement via various government officials and through our 2007 & 2008 graduates to get the word out about the 2009 program. We will also be notifying our supporters of the need for mentors. In fact, the mentor on-line application is available now! See Programs tab, then select mentor application.

Visit often for updates!

In both Afghanistan and Rwanda, students will begin applying for business training (created by our wonderful training partner Northwood University). After receiving a certificate for completing the training, any interested, qualified students may apply for Leadership Development, which will be conducted in the US, on the Northwood University Texas campus. Leadership Development will include round-table and panel discussions with dignitaries and women business owners from across the US. The purpose is to help the students identify economic initiatives that they can affect, and help them develop a plan to support 3 initiatives recognized by their respective governments.

Phase three of Peace through Business 2009 consists of mentoring. Each student will be mentored by a woman business owner, traveling to her home, residing and working with her for 6 days. This generates the exchange of ideas and expertise between the women, enabling each to take home new ideas and perspectives. The mentors will continue to correspond with the students for 1 year following the event.

Visit often for updates, or sign up on our Home page to be added to our Newsletter.