Expanding Leadership Training in Rural Rwanda
Rural leaders in Rwanda often live in hard-to-reach areas with limited resources and little access to training. Rise Up Woman International, in partnership with ALARM-Rwanda, is addressing this gap by equipping local women to lead change in their communities.

Fourteen women who completed Rise Up’s 3-year leadership development program were selected for an additional year of training as Trainers of Trainers (TOT). Now graduates of the TOT program, they are facilitating the same 3-year leadership curriculum with 100 community and church leaders in Rwanda’s Eastern and Northern provinces.

The training covers leadership principles and practices, mentoring, theology, trauma awareness and healing, women’s realities, health and HIV/AIDS, conflict resolution, peacebuilding, community development, and economic empowerment.

A donation of $100 sponsors one leader’s participation in a 3-day training workshop—empowering them to lead with vision and impact in their local context.

Equipping Women Leaders in Rural Kenya
In Kajiado County, Kenya, women face limited access to education and decision-making, which contributes to the continuation of harmful cultural practices. Rise Up Woman International is partnering with ALARM-Kenya and Elyon Women’s Initiatives to co-facilitate a multi-year leadership and ministry training program for 66 women.

This initiative brings together local women leaders to strengthen their leadership skills, build confidence, and equip them to speak out for change. As these women grow in knowledge and influence, they are empowered to advocate for girls' education, economic opportunity, and the elimination of female genital mutilation (FGM), child marriage, and gender-based property discrimination.

Transformation begins in safe, supportive spaces where women can heal, grow, and rise. A gift of $1,000 helps expand this vital training and amplifies the voices of women who are leading change in their communities.

Women’s Leadership Training Launched in Eastern Uganda
In January 2025, Rise Up Woman International, in partnership with Equip and Send Ministries (EASM), launched a three-year women’s leadership development program in Eastern Uganda. This initiative brings together 40 church and community leaders to be equipped for transformative leadership rooted in faith and service.

Over three years, participants will be trained on leadership principles, conflict resolution, peacebuilding, lay counseling, trauma healing, women’s realities, health, and economic empowerment. The program will equip women with the knowledge, confidence, and tools to lead community change.

A donation of $250 sponsors one leader’s participation in a week-long training, covering travel, food, lodging, and all materials.

Capacity Building and Girls’ Empowerment
In 2025, Rise Up Woman International continues to support Elyon Women’s Initiatives in expanding both the Resilience & Livelihood Initiative for Women and Dignify the Girl programs in Kenya. Follow-up will be provided to current participants, and one new location will be added for each initiative.

Between 2023 and 2024, 65 women were trained in business management and income-generating activities, receiving support such as galla goats, chickens, and essential business tools. In 2025, the goal is to reach an additional 30 women while continuing to mentor and strengthen the existing group.

For Dignify the Girl, mentorship will continue with the 100+ teenage girls engaged over the past two years, and a new cohort of 80 girls will begin in a different location. These girls are mentored in self-worth, leadership, education, and life skills that encourage them to stay in school and dream beyond cultural limitations.

This year, Elyon is also working to establish a scholarship fund to support vulnerable girls transitioning into high school and university. Many families in the Ilchamus community struggle to afford school fees, and Elyon hopes to provide basic educational items and financial support to help girls continue their education with dignity and hope.

Building Resilience Through Trauma Healing and Economic Empowerment
In 2024, Elyon Women’s Initiatives hosted a one-day workshop on stress management and trauma awareness for 46 church leaders—including clergy, women, men, and youth—in response to the ongoing effects of conflict and violence in the region. The training focused on practical tools for healing and building resilience in the face of trauma, while fostering hope within faith communities.

Elyon also reached out to displaced residents from Arabal, now temporarily living in Kapleiyo and Parkaren within the Ilchamus community. In Parkaren, Elyon facilitated a trauma awareness and healing session with 20 women, creating a safe space for reflection, support, and recovery.

Looking ahead to 2025, Elyon plans to launch livelihood initiatives with the women in Parkaren and provide trauma healing support to an additional 30 women in Kapleiyo—continuing the work of restoration and empowerment in communities impacted by displacement and violence.

Inspiring Biblical Discipleship Among Women Leaders
This initiative aims to equip and encourage Christian women through foundational theological training and practical discipleship skills. Early visits to the Ewuaso oo Nkidong’i area in Kajiado County revealed low literacy levels, highlighting the need for accessible, context-specific teaching.

The program begins with 50 women church leaders from various denominations, focusing on emerging and current leaders. The goal is to build a strong, biblically grounded foundation that empowers these women to disciple others and address the growing challenges faced by youth who have not been discipled in the faith.

Initial visits took place in February, May, and June to identify potential participants, assess needs, and determine program viability. The long-term vision is to raise up resilient generations rooted in God’s Word and equipped to lead with conviction in their communities.

The Burera Farm Initiative is located on 5 acres of land. It is focused on transforming the community through training small farmers and community members in mixed farming techniques and pig rearing. Michelle, ALARM’s agronomist, has already trained hundreds of small farmers in improved agricultural practices and distributed piglets to families to help address poverty, food insecurity, and malnutrition. The project promises self-sustainability through the pass-forward approach. Once a pig matures and reproduces, one piglet will be given back to ALARM, and two piglets will be given to families in need. The remaining pigs will remain with the family and may be used for income through sales, food, and manure for their small farm. A donation of $150 helps provide medicine and vaccinations for the pigs and salaries for the day laborers. Rise Up is collaborating with ALARM-Rwanda for this initiative.

Adolescence is a critical time that often defines a girl’s future. Girls are strong and capable and deserve the opportunity for an education in a safe, supportive, and stimulating environment.

Rise Up is glad to partner with The Institute of Women for Excellence (IWE). IWE is a secondary boarding school for girls focusing on science and technology. The exceptional education provided by IWE is made possible through school fees and the generosity of financial partners. Give a one-time gift or become a monthly partner. Your investment in girls’ education lets us plan effectively for the year and dream alongside the IWE faculty. ALARM-Rwanda operates IWE.

Watch a 1 minute video to learn why educating a girl is so important.