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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.
Maya Grace Mahoney
Georgetown Visitation
Class of 2024
Maya Grace Mahoney is a junior at Georgetown Visitation. Maya is a diligent student and is enrolled in several honors and AP classes.
Maya loves to snowboard during the winter. She also does rock climbing with her school and fencing outside of her school. She is a member of the French Honor Society. When Maya is not studying or spending time with friends, she is spending time with her dogs or reading.
Maya is excited to do the International Internship Program and to do the International Business and Development Internship. She had a wonderful time over the summer as an intern for Leadership Initiatives' and can not wait to continue to help those in the developing world. She can not wait to help more people with her friends.
Emma McCarthy
Richard Montgomery High School
Class of 2024
Emma McCarthy is a junior at Richard Montgomery high school. Emma is a hard-working student of the International Baccalaureate program at her school. She is enrolled in both IB and Advanced Placement classes.
Emma enjoys theater and law. She is a dedicated member of her school’s mock trial team and drama club. She hopes to start tutoring so she can help others with their classes. She is also a member of the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS). Outside of school, she enjoys baking, reading, and writing.
Emma is looking forward to participating in the International Business & Development Program this year. She loves helping others and helping them grow. She is considering using the skills she’s learned and become a lawyer someday to help people
Gabriela Lopez
The Academy of the Holy Cross
Class of 2024
Gabriela Lopez is a junior at The Academy of the Holy Cross. She is a hardworking student who's schedule is a mix of honors, advanced placement, and on level courses.
Gabriela is extremely involved in her school community. She is involved in five clubs, is the Executive Board Treasurer for student council, is a student ambassador officer and she plays sports. She is bilingual and enjoys being a leader not only for her peers but for anyone who sees her as one. Outside of school, Gabriela loves to spend time with her family.
Gabriela is excited to be participating in the International Business & Development Internship. She is excited to learn about a different culture and it's challenges. Additionally, Gabriela appreciates the opportunity to be apart of this effort with her friends.
Mary Virginia Beck
St. John’s College High School
Class of 2024
Mary Virginia Beck is a junior at St. John’s College High School. She takes honors and advanced placement classes. Mary Virginia has been recognized for her achievements at the Academic Convocation the past two years.
Mary Virginia has played Field Hockey for the past 3 years at her school. She has also done Irish Dance for over 10 years. Mary Virginia is a member of the National Art Honors Society and the National Honors Society. In her free time Mary Virginia enjoys snowboarding, playing with her dogs, and hanging with friends.
Mary Virginia is excited to participate in the International Business and Development Internship. She likes to explore new opportunities, share her ideas, and empower others. Mary Virginia hopes to apply the lessons learned to future endeavors.
Our Business Partner
Aliyu Adamu
Business Statistics
Aliyu proudly employs many young people in his community, giving them the opportunity to learn his craft.
Aliyu makes durable shoes fit for everyone in his community.
Aliyu Adamu
About Aliyu
Due to a lack of opportunity to further his education, Aliyu began learning his craft at a young age and gradually established his shop. With the money he earns from his business, Aliyu pays for his children’s education and provides for all of the needs for his family. He hopes to further his business so he may send his children to the highest level of education, something he did not receive.
Aliyu Adamu
Community Impact
Aliyu stresses the importance of durable shoes so that his customers will have the highest quality of shoes as they go about their daily routine.
Aliyu hopes that one day his community will have a diverse shoe market that not only sells shoes, but also other shoe accessories and materials.
Aliyu Adamu
Our Partnership
Aliyu lacks sufficient technology to efficiently provide shoes for those in his community. He hopes to create good quality, and affordable shoes for everyone.
Aliyu hopes to employ more young people and diversify the shoe business through this collaboration.
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
$2044 RAISED
$956 NEEDED
$3000 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.
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