by lwang | Aug 24, 2011 | AIL, Education, Kravis Prize, Sakena Yacoobi
Here at the Kravis Prize, we are proud that our winners have noble aspirations that impact regions across the globe. This article in the Associated Press highlights our 2009 Prize winner, Sakena Yacoobi, and her tireless efforts to bring education to women and girls in Afghanistan. Yacoobi envisions the work of the Afghan Institute of Leadership (AIL) as a vehicle for peace in the region, although she admits that she is “no idealist” when it comes to large-scale change: “She said she hopes to one day have centers in every province of Afghanistan ‘and there wouldn’t be one single individual uneducated or not able to read and write,’ Yacoobi says. ‘But reality is reality. Fact is fact. Education takes time. It takes a lot of time.'” Part of Yacoobi’s approach to making AIL successful is recruiting employees who are “more dedicated to the cause than their paychecks.” “We have lots of students who are with the U.N. programs, the USAID program, they are making triple my salary,” Yacoobi explained. “I say go ahead, do a good job, go. I am proud of them.” Pragmatic Afghan woman educates thousands [Associated Press] To learn more about Sakena Yacoobi and AIL, click...
by lwang | Jun 7, 2011 | AIL, Education, Kravis Prize, Sakena Yacoobi
Kravis Prize winner Sakena Yacoobi is working to establish a mentoring partnership in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. How did the founder of the Afghan Institute of Learning (AIL) end up working in Canada? In an interview with the Star Pheonix, Yacoobi spoke about the importance of mentors to professional growth and her partnership with Betty-Ann Heggie, a former vice president of Potash Corp., to create a mentorship program for six Afghani women at Saskatoon’s Edwards School of Business. While discussing the business school’s “womentorship” program, Yacoobi said AIL’s students “are doing a wonderful job right now in Afghanistan … but if they come here and they are exposed to a different system and different environment, they will be able to be very creative and innovative … and will have a great impact in the society of Afghanistan.” Yacoobi believes the program will build a bridge between Canada and Afghanistan, creating a better sense of understanding between both countries. “The women of Afghanistan are very strong; they are very intelligent,” said Yacoobi. “If the environment is given to them they are very fast learners.”...
by lwang | May 6, 2011 | AIL, Education, Kravis Prize, Sakena Yacoobi, Vicky Colbert
I would like to congratulate Vicky Colbert of the Escuela Nueva Foundation, this year’s winner of the Kravis Prize in Leadership. Vicky’s work in reforming education for children in Latin America is making a real impact for those let down by traditional education systems. This is incredibly important work and Vicky deserves this great honor. Speaking from my own experience, winning the Kravis Prize will allow Vicky and Escuela Nueva to reach a much larger audience of people interested in education. When I was awarded the Kravis Prize in 2009, I knew that it would help financially as well as help raise the visibility and prominence of my organization, the Afghan Institute of Learning (AIL). What I didn’t anticipate was how the reputation of the Kravis Prize would bring AIL increased credibility on the international stage. The Prize has opened doors to many new opportunities and inspired my staff to work even harder than they had in the past. We greatly appreciate the honor and the feeling that people recognize and appreciate the importance of our work educating women and girls in Afghanistan. To achieve our goal of educating women and girls in one of the world’s most oppressive countries, AIL responds to the needs of local communities. In our work, we have to think creatively in order to blend the culture and needs of Afghan women and children with new innovations in teaching, critical thinking skills, human rights, leadership and peace. Vicky and Escuela Nueva have developed incredibly innovative ways to improve the level of education through changing the roles of teachers and students in ways that really...
