🌟Pages of Bonding - Summits Conquered, Dreams Realized: A Season of Triumph🌟

To Our Beloved Circle of Champions,

Summer greetings from all of us at AKHRI! We know it's been a while since our last update, but here's the beautiful truth: we've been too busy changing lives to pause and tell you about it. Between conquering mountain peaks, celebrating remarkable achievements, and expanding our reach to new communities, our hands have been full of the work that matters most.

As you settle in for your well-deserved summer break, we hope these stories warm your heart and remind you why this journey we're on together is so profoundly meaningful. Grab your favorite summer drink and let's catch up on the incredible months we've shared.

🎇⛰️ Seven Days, One Summit, Countless Dreams Realized

After seven grueling days of climbing, our fearless team of six stood atop Kilimanjaro, breathless not just from the altitude, but from the magnitude of what they'd accomplished. $22,000 raised. Africa's highest peak conquered. And most importantly, countless women and girls one step closer to literacy.

Yasmine, Hanna, Yasin, Abigail, Amelie, and Mohamed became part of an exclusive group of humans who've stood at that breathtaking altitude, all while carrying the dreams of marginalized women and girls on their shoulders.

As they gazed out at the world below, they knew that every step upward meant another woman would learn to write her own name, another girl would discover the magic of reading her first book.

To everyone who contributed, shared on social media, or simply cheered them on from afar—thank you. You helped move mountains, literally and figuratively.

👩‍🎓🌸 International Women's Day: Voices That Inspire

This past International Women's Day, the prestigious Sir John A. Macdonald building became a sanctuary of inspiration as remarkable women shared their stories of resilience, leadership, and triumph. The themes that emerged—believing in yourself from childhood, having confidence to seize opportunities, and the power of senior management support—painted a vivid picture of what's possible when we invest in women's potential.

Our incredible speakers and panelists included:

• Denise Amyot, Corporate & Nonprofit Board Member, Founder & CEO of Denise Amyot & Associates, and Former CEO of Colleges and Institutes Canada, whose remarkable legacy in education and leadership lit up the room;

• Amira Musse, Director of Strategy and Financial Innovation at Natural Resources Canada, driving impactful financial strategies and innovation;

• Nurdan Tokoz, President & Chief Reinvention Officer at NurdanPinar Solutions for Human Performance, leading transformation in human performance;

• Samia Ouled Ali, Chair & Trustee of Conseil des écoles publiques de l'Est de l'Ontario (CEPEO), Chair of CCJL, and Vice-President of ACÉPO, shaping education policy and governance; and

• Niha Shahzad, Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives and Programs at Canadian Center for Women's Empowerment, championing women's empowerment through strategic leadership.

Each story shared was a testament to how one woman's success creates pathways for countless others. Want to experience the full magic of that day?

We've captured every inspiring moment on video with the link below. Let these powerful voices remind you why the work we do matters so deeply!

P.S. We won’t say too much, but there’s a special performance combining poetry and captivating vocals that creates an unforgettable moment you won’t want to miss..

🎓 Second Annual Nimo Ahmed Scholarship: Celebrating Future Leaders

Excellence has names, and this year they are Choukra Isman from École secondaire publique De La Salle and Apolline Baudin from École secondaire publique Louis-Riel. These outstanding graduates, both part of the Conseil des écoles publiques de l'Est de l'Ontario (CEPEO), have earned our $500 Nimo Ahmed Scholarships through their exemplary community involvement—a remarkable feat while balancing high school demands and preparing for post-secondary education.

AKHRI is proud and honored to recognize these young changemakers who embody the leadership potential that will shape our future. Through this gesture, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to uplifting youth, advancing education, and investing in the next generation of leaders

🌍 Annual Program Trip: Hearts Full of Gratitude

In May 2025, our president Anab Mohamed embarked on her yearly journey to witness firsthand the impact of your generosity. What she discovered during the spring graduation ceremony and program evaluation left her, and all of us, deeply moved.

The testimonials were nothing short of transformative. Elderly women, their faces glowing with pride, spoke of newfound independence—signing their own names for banking and administrative paperwork, no longer dependent on others for basic life necessities.

Young girls, eyes bright with possibility, shared their excitement about the books they plan to read and the literature that now opens doors to worlds they never knew existed.

Education ripples through generations, transforming entire family legacies with each new reader, each new dreamer.

Throughout all of this, one truth remains constant: the overwhelming gratitude these students have for You.

You who helped raise awareness, You who contributed, You who took the time to read this newsletter and learn about our initiative. 

No matter where you are in the AKHRI journey, know that you are making a profound difference in their lives.

👩‍🎓 Recent Wave of Graduates: 150 Dreams Realized

150 women and girls recently walked across our graduation stage, each step representing years of dedication, countless hours of study, and the triumph of hope over circumstance.

These graduates represent so much more than numbers: mothers who can now help their children with homework, entrepreneurs who can manage their own businesses, and young women who've unlocked doors to opportunities previously beyond their reach.

But perhaps the most touching moment came from witnessing a remarkable three-generation family graduate together: grandmother, mother, and daughter, all crossing the stage in the same ceremony.

A grandmother who never had the opportunity to learn as a child, finally holding her literacy certificate alongside her daughter who's breaking cycles of limitation, and her granddaughter who now sees education as her birthright, not a privilege. Three generations, one diploma ceremony, infinite possibilities.

Every graduation ceremony reminds us that education is the most powerful tool for change. These 150 graduates now possess both the fundamental skills of reading and writing, and the unshakeable confidence to dream bigger and reach higher.

🌟 Save the Date: Building Her Future

Mark your calendars for an evening that promises to be unforgettable:

AKHRI Annual Gala 2025
"Building Her Future: AKHRI Gala on the Day of the Girl"

📅 When: Saturday, October 11th, 6:00 PM - 11:00 PM
📍 Where: Ottawa Conference and Event Centre
200 Coventry Rd, Ottawa, ON K1K 4S3, Canada

This evening will celebrate every life transformed, every dream realized, and every future brightened through the power of literacy. Join us for conversations, connections, and moments that contribute to building brighter futures for women and girls.

More details coming soon, but for now, save the date and prepare to be part of something extraordinary.

💝 The Ripple Effect Continues

As we look ahead to the rest of 2025, we're reminded that every achievement we've shared today started with someone like you believing in the power of education. From mountain peaks to graduation stages, from scholarship ceremonies to program expansions, your support creates ripples that reach far beyond what we can measure.

The path ahead is bright, and we're honored to walk it with you. Whether you're a long-time supporter or someone just discovering our mission, know that there's a place for you in this circle of change-makers.

Together, we're teaching women and girls far more than reading and writing. We're helping them author their own stories of success, one page at a time.

Until our paths cross again,

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