The Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women.

Mentors Needed for Women Business Owners from Afghanistan and Rwanda

The Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women is seeking outstanding U.S. women business owners who are willing to share their expertise’s and experiences with women business owners from Afghanistan and Rwanda.

According to IEEW Founder Terry Neese, ‘women all over the world are embracing the philosophy that a country that is economically sound has a much greater capacity for peace. The best way to develop economic stability is to build a solid middle class through the largest population demographic-women.’

‘The Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women understands that financial stability is a slow process, but through the mentorship of those that ‘have,’ you can be part of something spectacular-the transformation of those who ‘have not,’ Neese adds.

The Institute’s Peace Through Business program provides long term business education to women entrepreneurs in Afghanistan and Rwanda. Through private partners, government, agencies, and IEEW staff, the program is implemented in three places: In-Country Education, Leadership Development/International Summit/ Mentorship, and Pay it Forward.

In-country education in both Rwanda and Afghanistan took place this year from March 1 to April 30, providing basic business education to 30 women in each country. Over the course of the eight week program, each woman completed an in depth business plan.

The leadership development phase begins when 15 women from each country are chosen to come to Dallas, Texas, August 10-14 to engage in a series of in depth discussions with leading experts on specific business topics. Those discussions not only enhance the business skills of the participants, but teach them to be leaders in their communities and their countries.

Following the leadership development program, the International Women’s Economic Summit convenes August 17-18 in Dallas, bringing together leaders from many NGO’s and government agencies around the country to discuss economic development in Afghanistan and Rwanda and how these women contribute to the attainment of their country’s economic goals.

At the conclusion of the International Women’s Economic Summit, the participants will present a document to their country’s ambassadors outlining their commitment to the top three economic issues.

The mentorship phase of the Peace through Business program begins on August 19 when the 3o participants from Afghanistan and Rwanda are each matched with an American women business owner to live and work with her the for five days. ‘The purpose is to take all of the information the participants have learned and apply it to real life scenarios. A second purpose is to develop a network of women who may become long-term mentors and potential business contemporaries and allies,’ Neese says.

The sustainability of the program lies in the desire and ability of each participant to Pay Forward their education to other women in their country. Each participant will be asked to fulfill this phase through varies educational programs established in each country.

If you are interested in applying to be a mentor in the Peace through Business program please consider the following:

• Students in the program will be matched with a mentor with a similar size and type of business.
• Mentors and students will develop an online relationship prior to the student’s arrival.
• Mentors are requested to attend the International Women’s Economic Summit on August 17-18 in Dallas, Texas in order to participate and work with their student (this is requested but not required).
• Students will live and work with their mentors from August 19-23.
• Students and mentors will commit to maintaining an online

‘Our past mentors have told us they never expected to receive so much in return. Mentor’s families benefit from the experience of living with someone from such diverse cultures by exchanging laughter, ideas, and customs. Some mentors and students have continued in mutually beneficial business ventures knowing they have gained lifelong friends,’ Neese said.

The matchmaking process for mentors begins in May so those interested are asked to access the mentorship application at http://www.ieew.org/programs/mentor-application. Email questions and other inquiries to [email protected].

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