Akilah transforms the lives of young women by empowering them with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to find meaningful employment and to serve as leaders in their communities.
The Akilah Institute
The Akilah Institute for Women in Kigali, Rwanda is an institute of higher education for the future female leaders of Rwanda. Akilah opened in February 2010 with our inaugural class of 50 young women ages 18-25. All students received a full scholarship and they recently completed their first semester of classes. During the Foundation Year, students take courses in Leadership & Ethics, Hospitality, Health & Nutrition, Public Speaking, Composition, and Computer.
Akilah Students
Meet our first class of students.
These young women are part of the generation that has suffered the consequences of the
1994 genocide. They were children during the conflict, and many of them lost their parents and
siblings. 1/3 of them are the heads of their households.
86% of them have held leadership positions, including the President of an Orphans Association, the President of an Anti-AIDS club, the leader of a local neighborhood government, and a Sunday school teacher.
Meet Giselle, an Akilah student
Academics
The Akilah curriculum is a direct response to the needs of the private sector and emphasizes leadership development, practical training, and entrepreneurial skills. The first course at Akilah, the Hospitality Studies Diploma, prepares students to work in the fastest growing sector of the Rwandan economy. The curriculum is being developed by an advisory council of experts and professors from Johnson and Wales University in Rhode Island, the Rwandan Private Sector Federation, the Rwanda
Development Board, and the Rwandan Workforce Development Authority and Ministry of Education. Six students have already obtained part-time jobs at a British boutique hotel in Kigali. Learn more>>
- Foundation Year: This intensive one-year program provides a critical foundation in English language studies, communication, computer skills, and critical thinking. Students are young women who demonstrate exceptional potential, talent and intellect but would benefit from additional coursework prior to commencing an Akilah diploma program. Learn more>>
- Diploma Program: A two-year program focused on the practical skills students will need to pursue a career in hospitality. Classes encompass a broad spectrum of hospitality subjects including English studies, communications, customer relations, health and nutrition, computers, food/beverage preparation, food technology, front office operations, housekeeping and property management. The Akilah Diploma Program will be accredited by the Ministry of Education. Learn more>>
- Internship: A three-month internship will be required of all graduates, providing them with hands-on training and valuable experience in the field. Most internships will be in Rwanda, but top students will have the opportunity to intern in another East African country. The internship is the capstone of their studies and ensures a smooth transition to the industry.
A Self-Sufficient Community
Akilah is currently located in a rented facility in Kigali. However, the Rwandan government has
provided the land and buildings for the Akilah campus. Students will then live and study in an
environment that combines education with production. Akilah will construct an ecolodge and restaurant onsite, and operate a farm that will produce enough food and dairy for the students.
Akilah will expand to offer courses in Agricultural Sciences and Culinary Arts. The campus social
enterprises will provide students with hands-on training and position Akilah to become
operationally self-sufficient.
Akilah has partnered with Architecture for Humanity and Pannotia to renovate the existing structures and construct new buildings. Once new construction is complete, 800 students will attend Akilah every year (600 boarders and 200 day students).
Rwanda
Fifteen years ago, the international community thought that Rwanda would become another African failed state. Over a million people had been killed in the most horrific genocide that the world has seen.
Instead, Rwanda has become a model of peace and reconciliation on the continent.
Today is the most critical time in Rwanda’s rebuilding process. The children orphaned by the genocide are now teenagers. They need the skills and training to provide for themselves and their families. Mothers left to run families on their own need a way to support themselves and their families, and to contribute in a meaningful way to the rebuilding of their country.
History
Akilah was founded by Elizabeth Dearborn Davis and Dave Hughes. The vision for the Akilah Institute came from their experience of working with grassroots organizations in Rwanda. In 2007, Elizabeth founded Amani Africa to support educational activities in Kigali, including an orphanage in Nyamirambo, sports teams for street children, and scholarships for genocide orphans.
We want to express our sincere thanks to the individuals who supported our grassroots programs in 2007 and 2008. You touched the lives of countless children here and gave them the opportunity for a brighter future!
The Akilah Institute is an initiative of Project Akilah, a U.S.-based tax-exempt nonprofit organization, and a registered international nonprofit organization in Rwanda. All contributions to Akilah are tax-deductible. Support the Akilah mission.