2012 PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS
Mentorship Overview
The Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women’s PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS program provides long-term business education to women entrepreneurs in Afghanistan and Rwanda. The program is based on the theory that a country that is more economically sound has a greater capacity for peace.
PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS is implemented in three phases:
- In-Country Education
- Leadership Development (U.S.)
- Pay It Forward
Currently, our classroom sites are in Kabul, Afghanistan and Kigali, Rwanda.
There are 30 seats available per country for In-Country education, and 15 students from each class will be selected for travel to the United States in July 2012 for participation in Leadership Development (see full description below). All PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS students are expected to Pay Forward their education by mentoring their fellow countrymen and women.
PART I
In-Country Education
In-Country Education is an intensive 8 weeks of basic business education. Each class lasts about four hours, once a week for eight weeks from Feb. 1 – March 31. The class is facilitated and conducted by a former PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS student, and the curriculum focuses on entrepreneurship development, improving technical skills and creating leaders with an emphasis on:
- Basic Accounting and Finance
- Marketing, Promotion and Selling
- Operations Management
- Human Resources
- Basic Banking
- Business Plan Development
The class culminates with the development of an in-depth business plan designed specifically for your business. That plan is submitted electronically to the Institute staff in the United States. Every chapter lesson will include a test and homework assignments. Since the books are written in English, students must be able to read and comprehend English in order to participate in the class.
PART II
Leadership Development
30 graduates of the In-Country Education are selected by a committee formed by the Institute to participate in Leadership Development in July.
Although In-Country Education provides the business basics, there is a higher degree of business acumen that can be obtained through leadership skills and mentorship. Leadership Development builds on the education the students have already received by training the students in business areas beyond the basics and on how to be leaders in their country. We then go a step further by matching each student with an American woman mentor.
To be considered for U.S. travel for participation in Leadership Development, the following criteria will be considered:
- Class attendance
- 80% Overall Grade
- Own a legitimate business (Facilitator will visit and help evaluate each business)
- Score a 75% or higher on written and oral English test
- Pass a physical examination by a designated doctor
Additional Requirements for selection:
- Student must apply for and obtain their own Visa (about $130 USD)
- Program Fee ($250 USD)
- Willingness to travel to the United States for three weeks
Mentorship
Each student is matched with an American woman business owner and will live/work with that WBO for one week. By mentoring a PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS student, you become a part of a unique network of women who may become long-term mentors and potential business contemporaries and allies. It is our hope that both student and mentor will benefit from this relationship and that it will continue long after the commitment to PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS is completed. Students are required to communicate with their mentors for at least one full year after completing the program.
Mentorship Timeline
- January 2011: Students are matched with a mentor who owns and/or operates a similar business
- January – July, 2011: Mentors are able to develop an on-line relationship prior to the student’s arrival
- July 16 – 23, 2011: Students live/work with mentors
- July 25 – 26, 2011: Mentors attend (if possible) the International Women’s Economic Summit and student Graduation (Dallas, TX)
- July 26, 2011: Student Graduation
- July 2011 – July 2012: Students and mentors maintain an on-line relationship, assisting each other for a minimum of one year
Mentorship Requirements
- Devote one week to a student from either Afghanistan or Rwanda teaching them your business and showing them how to successfully combine work and family
- Provide private sleeping space and meals for the student
- Be available for at least one conference call with the Institute prior to the women’s arrival
The Institute does not encourage or endorse any participant business and makes no guarantees of goods or services. The Institute acts only as the networking conduit. We are 100% neutral and cannot become involved in brokering deals.
