Learn More
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.
Lucy An-Lee
The Mary Louis Academy
Class of 2025
Lucy An-Lee is a sophomore at The Mary Louis Academy. Lucy is enrolled in all honors and A.P. classes. She is a part of various activities such as her school newspaper, Mariel and Girl Scouts.
Lucy is a member of her school's soccer and badminton teams. During her first year of high school, she completed over 80 hours of service for her school, parish, and community. In her free time, she likes to draw, read, and spend time with her loved ones.
Lucy is enthusiastic to be working with Leadership Initiatives. She aims to learn and achieve great things through this program.
Sarah Brito
The Mary Louis Academy
Class of 2024
Sarah Brito is a student at The Mary Louis Academy. She is a rising junior there. She is in all honors and AP classes. She is a part of her school's english diploma designation. She is very academics oriented and focused on school work.
Sarah Brito takes part in multiple extracurricular activities. She is a part of her school's speech and debate club. She also takes part in her schools theater program. She had been involved in theater for many years before that. She enjoys reading a writing in her free time.
Sarah Brito is very excited to be a part of the International Business and Development Program. She is very interested in what this program has to offer. She is also interested in the experiences that it will provide her. She is excited to begin working with her team.
Our Internship Team
CLICK EACH MEMBER TO LEARN MORE.
Alexandra Opre
The Mary Louis Academy
Class of 2024
Alexandra Opre is a rising junior in The Mary Louis Academy school. Alexandra Opre is an honors student and is very dedicated towards her grades.
Alexandra Opre is on the track team and in robotics. Alexandra enjoys running and making new things. She likes to hang out with friends, play video games and learn new things on her free time.
Alexandra Opre is excited to do the Business and Leadership internship this year. Alexandra wants to be an engineer when she gets older and she hopes that this program will help her be able to make a business with that passion.
Sophie Longchamp
The Mary Louis Academy
Class of 2025
Sophie Longchamp is a fresh sophomore at The Mary Louis Academy. Sophie Longchamp is a talented student inrolled in her schools art designation program.
Sophie Longchamp enjoys doing sports at her school, such as cross country and track and field. When she is not on the track, Sophie enjoys drawing, listening to music, and origami.
Sophie is excited to be participating in the International Business & Development Internship this year. She wants to learn better leadership skills, and appreciates what college benefits it will give her.
Anastasia Sutton
Saint Mary's College Preparatory
Class of 2024
Anastasia Sutton is a junior attending Saint Mary's High School. Anastasia is a committed hard-working honors student that is enrolled in Advanced Placement courses.
Anastasia has a passion for playing the piano and takes part in her school's Lacrosse team. She also participates in the school's musicals and plays over the school year. She helps to run fundraisers for her church and sings in the Chamber Choir. During her free time, she likes to read and play with her little sisters.
Anastasia is very thrilled to be able to do the International Internship Program - Business Development this year. She has always been very interested in the art of entrepreneurship as her aunt runs a small business which has inspired her to have an interest in the business. She is very excited to have real-world experience of what it is like to help develop a business and to help the people in Nigear by growing there buniesses.
Our Business Partner
Shamsuddeen Bala
Business Statistics
Not only does Mr. Shamsuddeen offer quality service, he also has taken on numerous apprentices. So far, he's had 10 people learn tailoring work skills from him.
Shamsudden makes sure to keep up with the latest changes in fashion as that is a large component to succeeding in the tailoring business.
Shamsuddeen Bala
About Shamsuddeen
Everyday, he wakes up early to get ready for morning prayer, then prepares to work in his tailoring shop. Shamsuddeen supports his parent with the income he makes from his business to ensure they are able to live a safe and comfortable life. Also, Shamsuddeen pays for his younger siblings school fees so that they can experience a good education.
As Shamsuddeen is known for his quality, diligence and had work, he is a beloved member of his community. Shamsuddeen wants to extend his business and make the world around him a better place.
Shamsuddeen Bala
Community Impact
Because of his apprenticeship program, he has had 10 people trained in certain skills needed for employment so that they can succeed. He wants to make clothes affordable and comfortable for everyone.
Shamsuddeen wants to be a tailoring business which exemplifies professionalism and quality.
Shamsuddeen Bala
Our Partnership
Due to a lack of electricity for his equipment, Mr. Shamsudden's business could not reach it's maximum potential. While it is succeeding locally, he wants to expand his business further than his community.
Mr. Shamsuddeen wants his tailoring business to be a diverse and professional company. Further, he wants to be able to support others who wish to enter the field by taking on apprentices.
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
$62 RAISED
$688 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
