Akilah CEO Elizabeth D. Davis has been selected as a Woman of Peace by the Women’s Peace Power Foundation.
The Women’s Peacepower Foundation, Inc. gives Women of Peace Awards to women and girls involved in grassroots projects who are working to bring peace to the everyday lives of women and their families.
The award includes a financial contribution to the Akilah Institute and a presentation at the Women’s Peace Power banquet in 2010.
We recently received an $80,000 contribution from a donor in Florida to support the first year of classes in Kigali.
While this donor has asked to remain anonymous, she said:
“I strongly believe that investing in young women will change the world. I think that Akilah is an innovative model because it provides opportunities to young women who cannot attend university- and gives them the practical training to find great jobs. I’m thrilled to be a part of this project and to play a role in the students’ first year of classes.”
We are thrilled by this show of support which enables us to rent classroom space in Kigali and to hire our teachers. We are deeply grateful to all the individuals who support Akilah. None of this would be possible without you.
-Elizabeth D. Davis
The Akilah Institute will open in the beginning of 2010!
Our first year of classes will operate in a building on the REACH compound in the Kigali neighborhood of Kibagabaga. REACH is a Rwandan nonprofit organization that works with genocide survivors to promote reconciliation and healing.
Elizabeth and Pastor Philbert Kalisa
The Founder and Director of REACH, Pastor Philbert Kalisa, is on the Akilah Advisory Council. I first met Philbert several years ago through a mutal friend in Florida and he has become an essential part of the Akilah team.
In 2010, we will operate the Akilah Foundation Year program. This yearlong bridge program provides a critical foundation in English language studies, communication, computer skills, and problem solving. Foundation Year students are young women who demonstrate exceptional potential, talent and intellect but would benefit from additional coursework prior to commencing their diploma studies or entering the workforce. We will soon post detailed admissions information for potential students. Please send an email to admissions@projectakilah.org if you would like to be notified of this.
All classes are designed to give our students the time and skills to prepare for the rigorous academic and training program of the Akilah diploma programs, which will begin in 2011. We will also spend 2010 completing the renovation work at the Akilah Campus in Bugesera.
REACH recently completed construction on a new building at the REACH site. The Center of Unity and Peace will host people from around the country and the region to participate in the reconciliation and training programs at REACH.
Opening ceremony for the Center for Unity and Peace
Amanda at the Akilah Campus with a local community teacher
Amanda Pittarelli was in Rwanda from March-June to help out as our interim Country Director. She helped us finalize our MOU with the Workforce Development Authority and conduct essential research about the water and electricity needs for the Akilah campus renovation among many other things. Amanda also coordinated the graphic design of our beautiful new logo.
Thank you for everything that you did for Akilah!