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The International Business Development Internship
Leadership Initiatives is working to end extreme poverty in Northern Nigeria through entrepreneurship and innovation. As part of the International Business & Development Program, Leadership Initiatives identifies small business owners who live under $1.90 a day, have little formal business education, and are struggling to provide for their family’s basic needs.
Once business owners have completed training, Leadership Initiatives pairs International Business & Development Interns with a business partner and business mentor. Interns are given the opportunity to help tackle major issues at the grassroots level by working directly with small business owners to support and incubate local entrepreneurs. Students will work with Leadership Initiatives staff over the course of nine months to provide income-generating solutions that focus on food supply, women empowerment, environment and sustainability, personal care, and mobility.
The International Business & Development Internship aims to introduce interns to the complexities and challenges of running a small business and working within community development. Interns will gain an understanding of the unwavering commitment, focus, and determination required to work within this field. From working with interns, local business owners will have new knowledge of entrepreneurial skills they need to create business opportunities that will contribute to socio-economic development and significantly transform their lives.
Our Internship Team
CLICK EACH MEMBER TO LEARN MORE.
Claire Wu
Centennial High School
Class of 2024
Claire is a highly driven, enthusiastic high school senior at Centennial High that is interested in exploring the intersection of business and education through experiences here at IIP and beyond.
She is involved in several honor societies at school, serving as the President of NEHS, Vice President of NHHS, and is an active member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society. Outside of class, Claire enjoys co-hosting the podcast "Party Size" and curating classes through the Howard County Library System.
In her third and final year at Leadership Initiatives, she is looking forward to making the most impact with her team and coordinator on their business partner and the Bauchi community.
Neal Goturi
River Hill High School
Class of 2025
Neal Goturi is a rising sophomore at River Hill High School. He is interested in creating sustainable developmental solutions with emphasis on the environment.
In March of 2022, he founded his school's Helping Hands Club and quickly grew it to over 100 student members. Helping Hands is a public interest club that is dedicated to community development via education, service and advocacy. In his free time, Neal enjoys immersing himself in art and culture.
Neal is looking forward to participating in the International Business and Development internship this year. He loves learning from others and using his knowledge to better communities and the lives of others. In the future, Neal wants to work in the public service sector and transform communities for the better.
Charan Bala
River Hill High School
Class of 2025
Charan Bala is a sophomore at River Hill High School. Charan is a dedicated and diligent student who is enrolled in both Advanced Placement and Gifted and Talented courses.
Charan enjoys running cross country and playing the cello in his school orchestra. At school, he is the President of the Poetry and an Officer-at-large for his school's chapter of FBLA. During his free time, Charan enjoys trying new foods and visiting new places.
Charan is excited to be participating in the International Business & Development Internship this year. He loves the field of business, and believes this internship is a great opportunity for him to explore his interests.
Our Internship Team
CLICK EACH MEMBER TO LEARN MORE.
Hannah Chen
Centennial High School
Class of 2023
Hannah Chen is a rising senior at Centennial High School. Hannah is a high-achieving student enrolled in both Advanced Placement and Dual Enrollment classes.
Hannah enjoys creating art and literature. At school, she is an executive board member for her school's Nationa Art Honors Society. Hannah is also a part of the marketing team for Maryland Voices, a student-run publication. In her free time, Hannah loves to listen to music and doodle.
Hannah is looking forward to participating in the International Business and Development Internship this 2022-2023 school year. She is interested in business and hopes to work in the business field in the future. Hannah will take the skills learned and developed from this internship in order to help her next steps in college and beyond.
Jeremy Tu
Memorial High School
Class of 2024
Jeremy Tu is a student in Houston, Texas. Although Jeremy is taking a gap year between their junior and senior year due to unforeseen circumstances, they are taking college courses and are excited to participate in this program in the meantime.
Jeremy Tu enjoys politics and activism. At school, Jeremy is the president of Student World Affairs Council and co-president of their school’s chapter of Model United Nations. They are also involved in Speech and Debate and are one of their team’s only policy debaters. During their free time, Jeremy listens to podcasts while taking a walk in their neighborhood.
Jeremy Tu is excited to be participating in the International Business and Development Internship. They hope that through this opportunity they are able to gain a greater understanding in international relations and how different countries conduct operations in their respective ways.
Serena Huang
Marriotts Ridge High School
Class of 2024
Serena Huang is a junior at Marriotts Ridge High School. Serena is committed to her education and dedicates herself to the AP, GT, and honors classes she takes.
In her spare time, Serena enjoys reading, researching, knitting, visiting the library, and sleeping. Serena is a curious, foresighted, and passionate person. She loves finding new ways to benefit her community and help the people around her.
Serena is delighted to meet everyone and be a member of this team for this international business and development internship. She hopes to learn more about marketing and finance in general through this internship.
Our Business Partner
Sa'idu Garba
Business Statistics
Mr. Sai'du Garba is the owner of an electronic repairs shop who is seeking assistance with reaching his long-term goals of both becoming a large enterprise with multiple branches and gaining increased training on technological repairs to serve more customers. First, in order to expand his business, we are in the process of graphic designing professional logos that clearly and effectively showcase the values and ethos of his company and services. Soon, we will begin creating print advertising materials (per Mr. Garba's preferences) and give him a boost in starting an official marketing campaign. Furthermore, to propel Mr. Garba towards educational opportunities, we will re-evaluate his current financial tracking systems and business model to provide a stable foundation for his business, which will allow him to pursue classes or workshops for him to learn new skills. By the end of our time together, we hope that Mr. Garba will be one step closer to achieving these goals and inciting a renowned legacy within the electronic repairs industry, as well as Bauchi community.
Sa'idu Garba
About Sa'idu
Mr. Sai'du Garba is the owner of an electronic repairs shop who is seeking assistance with reaching his long-term goals of both becoming a large enterprise with multiple branches and gaining increased training on technological repairs to serve more customers. First, in order to expand his business, we are in the process of graphic designing professional logos that clearly and effectively showcase the values and ethos of his company and services. Soon, we will begin creating print advertising materials (per Mr. Garba's preferences) and give him a boost in starting an official marketing campaign. Furthermore, to propel Mr. Garba towards educational opportunities, we will re-evaluate his current financial tracking systems and business model to provide a stable foundation for his business, which will allow him to pursue classes or workshops for him to learn new skills. By the end of our time together, we hope that Mr. Garba will be one step closer to achieving these goals and inciting a renowned legacy within the electronic repairs industry, as well as Bauchi community."
Sa'idu Garba
Community Impact
Mr. Sai'du Garba is the owner of an electronic repairs shop who is seeking assistance with reaching his long-term goals of both becoming a large enterprise with multiple branches and gaining increased training on technological repairs to serve more customers. First, in order to expand his business, we are in the process of graphic designing professional logos that clearly and effectively showcase the values and ethos of his company and services. Soon, we will begin creating print advertising materials (per Mr. Garba's preferences) and give him a boost in starting an official marketing campaign. Furthermore, to propel Mr. Garba towards educational opportunities, we will re-evaluate his current financial tracking systems and business model to provide a stable foundation for his business, which will allow him to pursue classes or workshops for him to learn new skills. By the end of our time together, we hope that Mr. Garba will be one step closer to achieving these goals and inciting a renowned legacy within the electronic repairs industry, as well as Bauchi community.
Sa'idu Garba
Our Partnership
Mr. Sai'du Garba is the owner of an electronic repairs shop who is seeking assistance with reaching his long-term goals of both becoming a large enterprise with multiple branches and gaining increased training on technological repairs to serve more customers. First, in order to expand his business, we are in the process of graphic designing professional logos that clearly and effectively showcase the values and ethos of his company and services. Soon, we will begin creating print advertising materials (per Mr. Garba's preferences) and give him a boost in starting an official marketing campaign. Furthermore, to propel Mr. Garba towards educational opportunities, we will re-evaluate his current financial tracking systems and business model to provide a stable foundation for his business, which will allow him to pursue classes or workshops for him to learn new skills. By the end of our time together, we hope that Mr. Garba will be one step closer to achieving these goals and inciting a renowned legacy within the electronic repairs industry, as well as Bauchi community."
Our Approach
FINANCIAL TRACKING
Financially literate entrepreneurs make growth-oriented financial and economic decisions for their savings, borrowing, and investments. Our team is working with Isiyaka Sa’ad to create an effective financial tracking system for his business finances, receipts, and daily costs.
OUR ADVERTISING
Our team identified target markets and key demographics to create a customer acquisition plan. We are working with Isiyaka Sa’ad to redesign his brand and create effective marketing campaigns.
BUSINESS IMPROVEMENTS
Steady growth is a critical component of creating self-sustaining communities. Our team is working to identify key areas of opportunity for Isiyaka Sa’ad and design solutions with grant money to improve his business to foster growth.
Our Fundraising
$50 RAISED
$700 NEEDED
$750 GOAL
Sub-Saharan Africa has experienced some of the highest growth rates globally over the past 10 years. While this means that people in these nations have become more optimistic about their social and economic future, the region continues to face a myriad of historical problems. In order to continue steady growth and achieve a future of equitable conditions in the region, our International Internship Program team seeks to build stronger communities from the grassroots level through fundraising for community development.
Funds raised are used to implement community-based education programs, pay staff to run the operations on-site, and invest in training for local leaders. Leadership Initiatives uses fundraised money to develop a network of support for actionable change and accountability between our team, the Leadership Initiatives staff, and the community stakeholders we work with.
CLICK BELOW TO VIEW OUR GLOBALGIVING PAGE
