Two years ago Aisha Ali Mohamood had no idea how she, alone, could translate her love for children and refugees into actual help. She had no clear strategy to give back.
But when she called her friends and asked them to volunteer their time, everything started unfolding. With strong faith coupled with a deep belief that she could make a difference, she dug into her little savings and decided to just get started.That is how I Profile Foundation began.
I Profile Foundation is an organization that seeks to run long term annual projects with primary schools and refugee youth as well as children to promote integration and conflict skills with emphasis on leadership and financial literacy.
I Profile Foundation is an organization that seeks to run long term projects with primary schools and refugee youths as well as children to promote integration and conflict skills with emphasis on leadership and financial literacy.
[caption id="attachment_1579" align="aligncenter" width="689"] Children from one of the Schools that Partner with I Profile Foundation[/caption]
Their programs focus on school children aged between 5-14 years and their training focus on three areas which include legacy, leadership, and etiquette.
The organization began with a humbling 23, but very, brilliant and talented students. Yet, as you read this, they have been able to reach out to other more 100 students in just under 2 years. These are from four schools that they were able to cover last year.
Two years ago, I visited a refugee agency in Kampala and my primary school asking to train the children and youth on leadership, etiquette, financial literacy as well as entrepreneurship. Everyone said it was unsustainable. But today, parents report the improved manners of their children. The refugee agency has thanked us too - Aisha Ali
Currently, Aisha and her team are working on the Koin Dream Challenge. It is an initiative that was started last year and it enables students to be a part of the savings program organized by I Profile Foundation. These students are drawn from the schools they have developed a close relationship with.
For this very challenge, they have been able to get partnerships with some of the local banks like Bank of Africa. These are aimed at helping them achieve their goal to reach out to many more schools.
[caption id="attachment_1580" align="aligncenter" width="686"] An I Profile Foundation Team Member Training Children about Financial Literacy[/caption]
For this very challenge, they have been able to get partnerships with some of the local banks like Bank of Africa. These are aimed at helping them achieve their goal of reaching out to as many schools as they can.
Initially, Aisha had no idea what she was getting herself into. All she had was a passion for helping kids learn financial literacy as well as build future leaders. She was completely an amateur and got to realize that she needed help.
This has led her to attend a series of seminars and coaching sessions which have been with both personal coaches as well as group training sessions on various aspects of personal development.
This has led her to attend a series of seminars and coaching sessions which have been with both personal coaches as well as group training sessions on various aspects of personal development.
Though most are about financial literacy covering saving, investment, budgeting, and teaching financial literacy to children. She has also taken leadership development classes, with a focus on developing leadership skills on young people.
[caption id="attachment_1572" align="alignnone" width="640"] Students participating in the Koin Dream Challenge.[/caption]
The foundation's initial program - I Leadership - is in line with the national constitutional requirement for leaders to have integrity. It is in sync with international initiatives such as President Obama’s Mandela Initiative, which seeks to develop leadership amongst young Africans. The program promotes I-Profiles Mission of developing full character leaders.
Also Read: Startup of the week: Musana Carts-The Street Vending Revolution
Success at the foundation so far has been measured the number of students they have been able to reach out to.
While Aisha's biggest challenge is not being able to reach out to as many children as possible, she still hopes that I Profile Foundation grows faster and wider to cover more students to equip them with the necessary skills to develop into full character leaders.