Thank you from Ritah Tumukunde

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Duhu's doing what

Of the 56 students who successfully completed the 2 Duhugurane In-Class Trainings offered since the project's launch in 2013, 70% have gained work experience through placement in internships, part-time or temporary jobs; 7% of the young women have obtained full time jobs; 3% have started businesses and many have pursued or continued educational endeavors.

Our business partners throughout the community have committed to invest into their youth and it is demonstrated each time they offer to host a Duhu participant at their business. 

Bottom line: Duhu is "learning from each other". 

Themes of Rwandan Youth

A recent estimate states that two-thirds of Kigali, capital city of Rwanda, is composed of youth (ages 14-35). 

Here are some consistent themes (recently published) that people believe about Rwanda's youth:

1. Youth won't take advice
2. Youth are unproductive with their time
3. Youth won't collaborate
4. Youth need education

Over the last few months, we have learned that young people do need education, but they also want to be heard. They have ideas and concerns for their future. The young women of Duhu have proved that in the right conditions, the top 3 for them are not true. They do work together, they will use their time well and they will take advice.

We have encouraged our Duhu girls to dream big and create SMART (Specific, Measureable, Adjustable, Realistic, Time-Oriented) objectives to achieve those dreams. But they need resources, so we should just give them money, right? Nope.

The model of Duhu is built on empowering young women to create a sustainable livelihood. We will soon be offering a Creating Entrepreneurs class for our graduates to educate them on running a business within a small group. We hope to create an environment for them to not only learn, but see if they have what it takes to collaborate together on a business idea and actually launch their idea.

We are motivated to prove those themes against youth wrong.

Duhu Video is up!

Check out the Duhu Facebook page to see our video, or click the picture below. Don't forget to LIKE us while you are there!

Thank you Olivier Rule for putting so much hard work into this video!

Duhu 1 Stats and beyond

During our first cohort, we had all 21 students complete the internal assessments with above 80%. 60% of those who successfully completed the In-Class training and Career Exploration were placed in internships or part time jobs; 1 young woman obtained a full time job. 25% pursued educational opportunities.

We are currently hosting our second cohort--20 in the morning class and 20 in the afternoon. And we are making plans to offer a Small Business/Income Generating Training for all of our Duhu Graduates in the near future, using the Akazi Kanoze curriculum and include a mock business implementation experience.

Duhu 2

From Jamie Boiles, Project Director

For our second class, we are still learning how to better serve the girls and meet their needs. We are trying a few new topics and hands-on learning experiences.

My personal priority is seeking ways to continue to involve more Rwandan women of various ages to train, mentor and coach these young women. The young women need to hear from women who have gone before them to inspire and encourage them along their path.

There are a few values the leadership and advisory team have agreed upon as our core values that I would like to share:

• Education: We believe in the value of education in increasing opportunities. This goes beyond knowledge, but is complemented with hands-on applicable skills.

• Community: The individual exists in the context of their community.  Therefore, change in attitudes, ideas and practices can impact the lives of community members, businesswomen, and others who interact with the girls in whose lives we invest and vice versa.

• Faith: We are founded on the belief that each individual possesses dignity and deserves respect because we are all created in the image of God.

• Accountability: Our greatest responsibility as an organization is to remain accountable to our beneficiaries in all operations. We commit to being wise stewards of our resources and to keep young women at the center of our financial decisions.

• Youth Empowerment: We believe that young women should be at the center of initiatives. They are key stakeholders in the future of their communities and have the capacity and ingenuity to shape strategic responses to events impacting their environment. 
  

As Duhu continues to grow and evolve, these values may evolve; but we commit to hold the young women as the highest priority, using everything we have to empower them to not only positively impact their lives, but to impact their community and country.

Daily Duhu

Divine Akimana
(The family name "Akimana" translates to "of God")

All my goals that I have now were like dreams to me before. Since I joined Duhugurane, I really feel like I am in control, am more focused and more motivated.

I can work on all the stories that I had kept private until now and produce some good novels. Because of Duhugurane, who inspired us, I can inspire some other girls not only in Rwanda but all over the world.