Elizabeth, CEO
Shortly after our opening ceremony, I went back to the States for 3 weeks to speak at TEDx in Tampa and to meet with Akilah supporters. Before I left, I said goodbye to the Akilah students, a group of 50 young women who were a bit quiet and reserved in the classroom, still trying to figure out how to interact with their teachers, and how to relate to one another.
Upon my return, I walked into the same classrooms and felt as if I was really meeting them for the first time! The quiet and reserved ones were now making confident presentations in front of their classmates. We had some visitors from the US last week and the students proudly stood up and spoke about the meaning of Akilah and their goals and vision for this year.
During Kanatapi (the end-of-the-week sharing session), each student shared an Akilah moment that has impacted her the most. One student said that it was a quote she learned in Leadership & Ethics:
“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”
I have mixed emotions about returning to the U.S. soon. Now that Akilah is up and running, my responsibilities shift back to the development and fundraising arena. Although I’m thrilled to meet with our supporters and host events to share the joy of our new students, I wish that I could stay here to be on campus every day. I told Monique, our Program Director, that I’m sad that I miss all the fun stuff: witnessing the incredible development of these young women into the future leaders and entrepreneurs of East Africa.
Congratulations Akilah girls! I believe the institute is set for a bright future. I will look up carefully the website for the meaning of the word/acronym Akilah soon. Sounds special to me. Knowing that you focus on independent thinking and entrepreneurship, I wonder whether school uniform responds perfectly to that ideal. I am a Rwandan. I know that in Rwanda school uniform is often insisted upon in mainstream education for issues related to distinctiveness and discipline. It can be economic and a source of pride for the students as well. Still you can check with the young ladies and get their opinion vis-à-vis the freedom of non-uniform please. It is all about practical skills! Alternatively, blueish trousers may come out better than a khaki in dry Bugesera. I don’t mind the top. You’re doing a great job. God bless. MT