LI Interns Building Businesses & Changing Lives

Since Shouryan, Dhruv, Caroline, Sebastian, Benjamin, Abhee, and Arnav began interning with Leadership Initiatives, they have been working closely with local entrepreneur Musa to strengthen and grow their Gardening Business. Under the guidance of Project Coordinator Aminu, the team has spent the past several months learning about the business, understanding community context, and building practical tools that support long-term success. This hands-on partnership has allowed interns to gain real-world business experience while helping Musa expand opportunities for their family and community.

One of the team's major projects has been developing a full branding proposal for the Gardening Business. Interns studied visual identity, color theory, and customer perception to create branding options that reflect local culture and the unique personality of the business. They created professional logo drafts, sample color palettes, and slogan ideas that will help Musa stand out in the local market. The goal of this work is to provide Musa with a clear and confident brand identity that can be used on signage, marketing materials, product labels, and digital platforms.

In addition to branding, interns have been focused on building financial tracking literacy with Musa. They are creating simple, easy-to-use tools that help them record daily sales, track expenses, calculate profits, and understand which products or services bring the greatest return. These tools are designed to work without internet or advanced technology, so they can be used anywhere at any time. By learning how to record information clearly and review it regularly, Musa will be able to make stronger decisions about pricing, purchasing, savings, and strategic growth.

I have been deeply impressed by how dedicated Shouryan, Dhruv, Caroline, Sebastian, Benjamin, Abhee, and Arnav have been to ensuring that Musa has every opportunity to grow their Gardening Business. Their attention to detail, thoughtful planning, and genuine care for the business partner have resulted in meaningful progress and valuable resources for the future.

In the coming weeks, Shouryan, Dhruv, Caroline, Sebastian, Benjamin, Abhee, and Arnav will begin preparing a microgrant proposal to support the next phase of development for the Gardening Business. This proposal will help identify the most important needs of the business, outline realistic growth goals, and create a plan for how microgrant funding could strengthen operations. Whether the priority is new equipment, improved workspace, materials, or expanded services, the team will work with Musa and Aminu to design a plan that is sustainable and community-focused.

This internship experience has given students the opportunity to collaborate directly with an entrepreneur, build practical business tools, and contribute to the long-term growth of the Gardening Business. Through your support, interns like Shouryan, Dhruv, Caroline, Sebastian, Benjamin, Abhee, and Arnav are gaining real-world skills while helping business owners in Northern Nigeria build stronger and more resilient futures for their families.

Leadership Initiatives is also expanding infrastructure across Northern Nigeria to create stronger foundations for entrepreneurs like Musa. In Birshi Gandu and Sabon Layi, new classroom blocks are being built to replace unsafe structures and reduce overcrowding so children can learn in safe, supportive environments. In Doka, a solar-powered clean water borehole is underway, which will give families reliable access to safe water and reduce the financial and physical burden of traveling long distances each day. Additionally, all three communities are getting new health clinics to provide affordable care closer to home. These projects work together to strengthen education, improve health, and reduce daily hardships. As communities gain access to stable schools, clean water, and nearby care, entrepreneurs like Musa have greater opportunities to grow their Gardening Business and their families can begin building healthier, more secure futures.

We are grateful for your generosity, which makes this partnership and real-world learning possible.

Thank you for your support, 

Leadership Initiatives