Empower women in Africa through higher education!

These Numbers Have Faces believes strongly women are the secret weapon to fighting poverty. We work hard to make sure that at least half of the students in our University Leadership Program are women. Currently, 57% of our students are female. These young women are poised to lead their communities and countries to a new era of peace and prosperity. Through access to a university education, Leadership Development Workshops, and our women's mentorship program, we empower Africa's brightest young women to cultivate thriving communities. We also recognize that, if we are working to empower strong female leaders in a culture where gender roles remain very traditional, we must also work with the young men to learn how to work well with and alongside strong, empowered women. Sonia is a wonderful example of the young women in our program. 

Acqueline is the last-born in a family of four children. She lost her father at the age of thirteen. She believes everything happens for a reason, which helps her always to be optimistic and stay strong, ready to fight for the best of her family, the community, and the world at large.  

She was born and raised in the Gakenke district of Rwanda’s Northern province. Like other people in her community, her family’s basic needs are supported through domestic animal farming and crop cultivation. Despite her family’s financial difficulties, Acqueline and two of her three siblings were able to complete secondary school with the aid of scholarships. 

Aqueline is the only one in her family able to attend university. She’s working hard to make sure her whole family will have a better future. She says she won’t let the trust they put in her go in vain, so she stays very focused on achieving her goals. Having observed the gaps in Rwanda’s healthcare system, she aspires to become a dental surgeon to help fill these gaps.  She’s now studying for her Bachelor’s Degree in Dental Surgery at the University of Rwanda. As an advocate who believes in the abilities of people and the power of education, Acqueline encourages youth to love education because it’s the key to success.

Acqueline loves seeing people around her happy.  She enjoys telling stories and joking with people. She also engages in different extracurricular activities crucial to the community. In her free time, she listens to music and watches football games. Together as one and FC Barcelona are her favorites. 

Recently, Acqueline was hired for a great summer job. She was so excited to share this news with our staff in Rwanda. Here’s what she said:

I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to update you on my recent professional endeavors and to express my heartfelt gratitude for the support and empowerment I have received from These Numbers Have Faces over the past two years. I am thrilled to share that I have secured a position as a Communications Associate at KOSMOTIVE on a contract for the summer holidays. In this role, I am responsible for managing communications, and specifically managing its social media platforms aimed at empowering young women and promoting health in our community by breaking the taboos around menstruation. The Leadership Development Workshops and mentorship I have received through These Numbers Have Faces have been instrumental in preparing me for this role. The skills and confidence I gained have enabled me so far to excel in my position and contribute meaningfully to my team. Thank you for your continued support and for providing me with the tools and opportunities to grow both personally and professionally

Acqueline

Currently, Aqueline and the rest of the young women in our University Leadership Program are on their summer holiday. Classes will begin again in September. Acqueline and her fellow TNHF students are also finalizing and submitting their Community Impact Project Reports.

These Community Impact Projects are a key element of our success. These projects require our students to take what they are learning in their classrooms and what they are learning in our Leadership Development Workshops and then apply it to real-life needs within their. We ask all of our students to identify, plan, and then devote at least 50 hours each academic year completing a Community Impact Project that will make a transformational difference in their communities. Over the past 5 years – even with a two-year pause because of COVID, our students have impacted significantly the lives of almost 30,000 people!

Here are just five examples of last year’s projects: 1. Teaching female secondary students the importance of social justice through debates designed to encourage public speaking and critical thinking skills. 2. Teaching computer skills to young girls. 3. Teaching reproductive health to female secondary students to reduce the risk of early pregnancy and dropping out of school. 4. Working with vulnerable families to improve their nutrition through kitchen gardens. 5. Teaching female secondary students how to build an excellent career profile, including an effective CV, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile, as well as teaching effective interviewing skills.

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• These Numbers Have Faces

These Numbers Have Faces believes strongly women are the secret weapon to fighting poverty. We work hard to make sure that at least half of the students in our University Leadership Program are women. Currently, 57% of our students are female. These young women are poised to lead their communities and countries to a new era of peace and prosperity. Through access to a university education, Leadership Development Workshops, and our women's mentorship program, we empower Africa's brightest young women to cultivate thriving communities. We also recognize that, if we are working to empower strong female leaders in a culture where gender roles remain very traditional, we must also work with the young men to learn how to work well with and alongside strong, empowered women. Sonia is a wonderful example of the young women in our program. 

Sylvia grew up in a poor, rural village in Uganda. Her parents are farmers. There are seven children in her family. She is the only girl, born fifth. Her brothers never finished high school, so Sylvia's grandmother advised Sylvia's parents to send her to Rwanda to give her a better opportunity to finish secondary school and maybe even go to university. She graduaged from secondary school with excellent grades. And now she's the first in her family to attend university!

Sylvia attends Ines Ruhungeri, where she is studying Law. In addition to her careeer, Sylvia's dream is to work with teenage mothers, helping them build better lives for themselves. She also wants to advocate for the prevention of teeen pregnancy, as well as for the education of girls. Both of these issues are huge, especially in rural communities.

Outside the classroom, Sylvia participates in a local club for teen mothers. She also volunteers at a nearby primary school, tutoring young children in first and second grade.

We are also excited to share that all of our students, including Sylvia and the other young women in our University Leadership Program, are working hard to finish this academic year well. Most of our students have just six or eight weeks left. We're so proud of our students and what they've been able to accomplish this year.

In addition, Sylvia and her fellow students are finishing their Community Impact Projects for this academic year. These Community Impact Projects are a key element of our success. These projects require our students to take what they are learning in their classrooms and what they are learning in our Leadership Development Workshops and then apply it to real-life needs within their communities. We ask all of our students to identify, plan, and then devote at least 50 hours each academic year completing a Community Impact Project that will make a transformational difference in their communities. Over the past 5 years – even with a two-year pause because of COVID, our students have impacted significantly the lives of almost 30,000 people!

Here are just five examples of last year’s projects: 1. Teaching female secondary students the importance of social justice through debates designed to encourage public speaking and critical thinking skills. 2. Teaching computer skills to young girls. 3. Teaching reproductive health to female secondary students to reduce the risk of early pregnancy and dropping out of school. 4. Working with vulnerable families to improve their nutrition through kitchen gardens. 5. Teaching female secondary students how to build an excellent career profile, including an effective CV, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile, as well as teaching effective interviewing skills.

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