Monique Schmidt « The Akilah Institute for Women

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Monday, July 12, 2010

Africa United

Monique Schmidt – Program Director

The World Cup has just ended, and so nights in Kigali will become quiet again. In Africa, a big theme of the event focused on unity: Africa United. It wasn’t just one country on a solo quest hoping to win, the whole continent had sights set on victory, anyone’s victory. When Nigeria played, everyone cheered for Nigeria. When Ghana played, everyone cheered for Ghana. The show of unity and support uplifted the entire community. Africa backed Africa. With each win, all of Africa celebrated together, and when Ghana, the last African team, lost, all of Africa cried.

However, the World Cup wasn’t the only event that showcased the community and unity which can be found in some areas of Africa. At Akilah, we have gone through an extensive process to select 2 students who will travel to the United States in October to represent Akilah. With such a big reward at stake, one might think that the students would become catty or cut-throat. Amazingly, we saw none of those behaviors. Instead we saw students preparing together, supporting each other, working together. Before the final interviews, they sat in a group encouraging each other.

When we announced the finalists, the room erupted in cheers; even the ones who had not been chosen hugged the winners. We saw no signs of animosity. There seemed to be genuine happiness that at least two had received an incredible opportunity. It was seen as a win for the community, not a loss for the individual.

Both the World Cup and the selection process for the Akilah representatives remind me of the fact that I work in a very unique environment. Instead of a strict focus on individual achievement, our students still embrace community success, with the belief that those who succeed now will not forget to help others succeed in the future.

Posted in Foundation Year, Monique Schmidt, Rwanda, Staff Updates | 1 Comment »

Thursday, July 8, 2010

A Different Voice

Monique Schmidt, Program Director

At Akilah, we emphasize women’s empowerment. Our instructors teach about women leaders. Our class skits focus on women’s rights. We read poems about strong women. We create songs about independent women. We reinforce positive characteristics of women every day: strong, independent, smart, capable, brave, hospitable. We believe in women.

It is quite easy to get caught up in our small “pro-woman” world. Sometimes we wonder if we’re the only ones in that world. So, it came as quite a nice surprise to hear a new voice trumpeting the same message. Last week, Akilah had a visit from Herve, a young Rwandan man who is in his fourth year at the university in Rwanda. In an email, he said he wanted to come and deliver a message of support and hope to Akilah women. Did he ever!

Herve, raised by his mother, sang the praises of educating women in a new and refreshing way. He had quotes from current songs “She got her own thing, that’s why I love her, Miss Independent.” He had quotes from Oprah, “I knew there was another world out there.” He had his personal story of strength he had gotten from his mom.

Our students were greatly encouraged by having a young man on their side. The applause was loud for every point Herve made, including one which resonated with much of our Akilah philosophy: “Your attitude, not your aptitude, determines your altitude.”

It was an important day for Akilah. We have known for awhile that American and Rwandan women back our message and philosophy. However, it is invaluable, and greatly encouraging, to know that young, Rwandan men care as well. Thank you Herve!!

Posted in Foundation Year, Monique Schmidt, Visitors | 1 Comment »

Monday, June 21, 2010

Summer Loving

Monique Schmidt – Program Director

In an atmosphere of glee, Akilah has started its summer session. Students shouted to friends they hadn’t seen in 3 weeks and hugged staff who had returned from travels. We are also quite fortunate to welcome three new tutors who will work intensively with our students on English. Nina hails from the UK, while Jenna and Marissa come from the States.

Nina writes,

I arrived in Kigali a little over a week ago-London-Nairobi-Bujumbura-finally to the land of a thousand hills..I live about halfway up one of those hills.

After 7 moto rides, two Ugali-sampling sessions, a two-hour bus ride to a Northern province, and several trips to the local market, I’m beginning to acclimatize to life in Kigali.

I’m writing this as I prepare to teach my first English class at Akilah. My group will consist of 17 advanced level students (this makes me nervous). What if I’m unable to teach them anything new? What if they give me that look of disdain that I have become accustomed to from school pupils in London?

Then I remember where I am, why I am here, who I will be teaching, and why they are here. I feel this is the beginning of a new chapter.

I know from experience that Nina won’t have to deal with looks of disdain—Akilah students love English tutoring!! However, Nina is right about one thing—it is a new chapter for Akilah. The addition of new tutors is a sign that Akilah is growing, and it gives encouragement to all of us, students and staff, to know that we are part of a vibrant, thriving organization. So, as I write today, the sun is shining bright in Kigali; everyone has returned rejuvenated; 50 energetic students are once again giving life to our small hillside; life is good in Rwanda.

Posted in Foundation Year, Monique Schmidt, Rwanda | No Comments »

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Who Are The Teachers

Monique Schmidt – Program Director

As the rainy season begins to taper off, Akilah starts summer break. We have three weeks off before we start our summer session. For staff, the break provides a welcome time to rest, but it also means we haven’t seen our students since the end of May. That feels weird. It has created something like a void in my life. I’m used to seeing Nadine’s smile Monday through Friday. And I miss watching Fais think through all responses thoroughly.

Interestingly, I have been in education for over 10 years, but never have I bonded so intensely with such a group of exceptional students. The passion for education, compassion for others, and intellectual drive I observe in the Akilah classrooms astounds me on a daily basis.

While I haven’t seen our students recently, it still feels like they are a part of my daily life. During the break, it seems I have spent most of my time talking about Akilah, Rwanda, and our students….and the word “resiliency” keeps coming to mind. Two of the major lessons I have learned thus far at Akilah (and there have been many—especially about the importance of mosquito nets ☺ ) center around the resiliency of soul and the strength of love. In particular, one image from the movie “Catch Me if you Can” reoccurs for me. In the movie one of the characters tells the story of two mice who fell into a bucket of cream. The first mouse quickly gave up and drowned. The second mouse, wouldn’t quit. He struggled so hard that eventually he churned that cream into butter and crawled out.

I’m not sure if we can teach resiliency and determination, or if we can only cultivate them. I do know, however, that it is truly a gift to be working with students who have already, numerous times, turned cream into butter in their lives. Their determination and optimism teach me to work harder, love sincerely, and live deeper.

Noella and Alice

Florence

Posted in Foundation Year, Monique Schmidt, Rwanda, Staff Updates | No Comments »

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Christina Aguilera and Akilah!

Little known fact that I must admit: during several tough periods of my life, Christina Aguilera has gotten me through. There have been days when I put the CD player in my car on repeat and listened to her song “Soar” a thousand times. The lyrics, “Don’t be scared to fly alone/ find a path that is your own/love will open every door/spread your wings and soar” seemed to soothe and provide motivation and optimism. Other days “Beautiful” blared from my radio: “I am beautiful/no matter what they say/words can’t bring me down.” I listened to the songs so many times that even with the radio off, I could hear the echo of her words.

And the echoing didn’t stop once I arrived in Rwanda. This semester, when designing class exercises, I tried to provide knowledge that I thought our students needed, information to help them succeed. Before class, I always asked myself, “how is this going to help?” I gave them stats about tourism, definitions for hospitality, and we role-played customer service scenarios. However, something was missing. I sat and thought about our students: too shy to go to the fancy hotel, no smiling or eye contact when shaking hands, tears when talking about their pasts. What they really needed was a little Christina Aguilera. Without adding self-confidence and positive images of themselves, technical skills and knowledge wouldn’t get them very far.

(more…)

Posted in Foundation Year, Monique Schmidt, Rwanda | 1 Comment »

Sunday, May 16, 2010

His Excellency

Monique Schmidt – Program Director

As a result of joining the Commonwealth, the Rwanda Development Board and the Commonwealth Business Council held the first Rwanda Investment Forum last week. Over 350 leaders from business and government, including 110 international delegates from 25 countries attended. And so did I. Before leaving for the conference, Elizabeth emailed me explicit instructions: “Network! Make connections and partnerships!”

Monday morning I got up early and psyched myself up for the event. All the way to the hotel, in my head I chanted, “network network network!” The first session started on time, and the keynote speaker, His Excellency, the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame spoke on how the increased foreign and domestic investment will be reflected not only in increased income levels, but also in acquisition of new skills and knowledge.

After the first session, the doors to the conference hall opened to start the first coffee/networking break. Armed with my business cards, I set forth to network. Upon entering the coffee/tea tent, I had no idea how to select with whom I should speak; so I looked around…and in the back of the tent, surrounded by a group of East African Businessmen, I saw—His Excellency, Paul Kagame!

“Hmmm,” I thought, “it’d probably be good if I could talk to him.” So, I walked over and tried to break through the circle of suits surrounding him. No luck until a man from the Commonwealth Business Council came over and asked what I was doing.

“I’m supposed to talk to the President,” I said. (which, in theory, could have been true, since Elizabeth had told me to network, she could have meant, ‘talk to the President’ )

“Who are you?” he asked.

“I’m Monique Schmidt,” I replied.

No glimmer of recognition on his face. “For whom do you work?” he responded.

“I’m the Program Director for the Akilah Institute for Women,” I said (and I said it like it was reaaaally important)

“Oh,” he said. “Wait here.”

So, I waited, trying to formulate something intelligent in my head to say to His Excellency.

All of a sudden the Commonwealth Business Council man gave me a tug on my arm and said, “Go!”

Next thing I knew I was standing next to the President, handing him my business card, and explaining what Akilah does.

His Excellency listened to me, looked at my business card, and said, “That’s good.”

Then, someone else moved in, and I found myself back outside the circle of suits.

I found the rest of the conference truly educational, and as far as networking goes, it got a lot easier after I finished talking to the President.

Posted in Foundation Year, Monique Schmidt, Staff Updates | No Comments »