The Akilah Institute for Women

Irene Kagoya, Leadership & Ethics Instructor

The art of naming is not easy- even deciding a name for your own child can be quite challenging. Choosing a name is almost like deciding a destiny for that thing or person.

Last week the Akilah students were tasked with choosing names for our three classrooms. Students started by listing names of the most influential women in the world, and then we voted on the top three. This involved a lot of discussion and debate, because they couldn’t choose just any influential woman- they had to choose women who inspire them, and who they can relate to.
At the end of the day, we named our three classrooms after Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey and Rwandan First Lady Jeanette Kagame because the Akilah students look up to them as role models.
Students applauded and smiled when their classroom name was announced. Our guest speaker that afternoon started her presentation with a slide and picture of Oprah Winfrey (just a coincidence!) and the students immediately cheered. They already feel a true sense of identification and connection with these strong women.

Irene Kagoya – Leadership and Ethics Instructor

It is exhilarating to be at Akilah again after our three-week break. It has been a refreshing break and definitely has energized us to go through the summer.

There are lots of thrilling activities and projects that we have prepared for our students this summer.  Our summer session is unique, incorporating film, outreach drama, and theory. All three sections revolve around three central themes: 1) Finding your Voice, 2) Women Breaking Barriers, and 3) Celebrating Diversity.

Also on the agenda, for the final week of the summer session, each staff member will lead a special seminar on a topic of her expertise.

Oh I was forgetting our favorite activity; we also have Kanatapi each week!  Wow!

With such a fully packed summer, we cannot wait to begin the session and see how our students grow through it and learn from us as we learn from them.

Irene Kagoya – Leadership and Ethics Instructor

It all started out like a complicated journey, and I was not sure I would reach the end. Today I believe more than ever that this journey has been worth every bit of my energy.

The first four months of this journey took a lot of determination and hope from us all. While some were busy in Kigali teaching, coordinating student programs and facilitating operations on campus, others were busy looking for support, spreading the Akilah message to all corners of the world.  Our students were busy as well, studying and growing and helping shape the culture of Akilah.

Some highlights from the first semester:

• In the company of our students, their families, and many of our valued supporters, we inaugurated the Institute in February with a wonderful opening ceremony.
• We began the Akliah Foundation Year Program with a new international staff, a new campus, and a group of 50 dynamic, phenomenal students.
• After a field trip to the brand new Manor Hotel, 5 Akilah students were hired for employment.

• We had a chance to share Akilah with a number of visitors from around the world
• The top 20 Akilah students had the opportunity to participate in Gorilla trekking, a focal point of the Rwandan tourism industry.

This was just the beginning. I cannot wait to see the rest to come!

Irene Kagoya, Leadership & Ethics Instructor

Quite a number of issues inspired my interest in Akilah.  Yes!  The passion for young women empowerment I should say is what inspired me.  Anything to do with women’s empowerment gives me fresh energy… its like wow!!!

Empowerment of young women in Rwanda calls for many strategies but the vocational training at Akilah trigged me most.  This is because each young woman that graduates from Akilah will leave with practical on hands skills to do something for herself as well as her community.

This is the educational model Africa needs. The majority go to school but their question after school is often “what will I do?”  At Akilah students start finding answers to this question from day one.