Maranyundo Initiative
Fall 2019
________
Our Incoming Executive Director | New College Guidance Program
National Debate Champion | Upcoming Events
* SAVE THE DATE FOR THE ANNUAL WINTER LUNCHEON: Saturday, Dec. 5th *
Image by Photography Club President, Cici Uwase.
Our Incoming Executive Director
After an extensive search, we warmly welcome Jessi Smolow, as the new Maranyundo Initiative Executive Director!
Prior to joining the Maranyundo Initiative, Jessi served as the DREAMS Program Manager with World Education involved in overseeing a 3-country USAID-funded project in Tanzania, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe, targeting over 4,000 girls and young women to provide family planning and educational resources.
Jessi spent the last decade developing and implementing various education and health programs in Central East Africa - including three years living in Kigali, Rwanda! We celebrate Jessi's accomplishments thus far and look forward to her tenure with the Maranyundo Initiative.
New College Guidance Program
We are excited to begin the first year of our College Guidance Program!
With Luladey Takele Teshome serving as program lead, her extensive personal experience navigating the college system as an international student allows her to direct the current graduating class at Maranyundo on applications, college essays, and general guidance to navigate the logistical maze.
With each graduating class at Maranyundo, the need to provide support and resources for our excelling graduates grows, and is required to manifest their professional ambitions!
Students in their final year spend time outside following an intensive, class-wide college essay workshop.
Originally from Ethiopia, Luladey earned her Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Sociology at Colby-Sawyer College in New Hampshire.
Luladey recently won a full merit grant to attend the International Association for College Admission Counseling Conference (IACAC) this October in Johannesburg, South Africa.
National Debate Champion
On September 7th 2019, the Maranyundo Girls School debate team competed in Kigali at the Kwita Izina Conference on Tourism & Conservation. Our girls performed spectacularly, coming away with the silver medal in the National Competition Team Category debating Rwanda's role as a leader in environmental conservation.
Our very own student, Sonia Nyanaba Teta, approaching her final year at Maranyundo, won the National Debate Championship in the Individual's category! All of the Maranyundo students debated with eloquence, passion, and argued many salient points to an audience in the hundreds.
Middle schooler, Nadira Teta Keza, debates with her peers under the tutelage of our National Champion, Sonia, acting as one of the judges.
Upcoming Events
Friday, October 11th ● INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE GIRL
In recognition of the International Day of the Girl, we encourage you to sponsor a girl's education in honor of this day! Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram as we live tweet throughout the day about the importance of girls education and amplifying their voices.
Thursday, December 5th ● ANNUAL WINTER LUNCHEON (Boston)
SAVE THE DATE: In addition to enjoying the company of the many dedicated friends of Maranyundo, we will use this opportunity to commemorate Sister Juvenal's exceptional leadership and dedication to the Maranyundo Girls School as she prepares to step into a new role. She will be in attendance, as will her successor, who is yet to be announced!
Details regarding location, time, etc. will be sent to you in the coming month.
