It takes no more than five minutes by car or motorcycle from Musanze City to reach the state-of-the-art craft center built for artisans who previously operated near the city’s bus station.
This craft center, which accommodates over 700 people, mainly carpenters, is one of the projects funded by the Belgian Development Agency, Enabel. The center is modernly constructed, with separate sections for carpenters, metalworkers, and display and sales areas.
The Director of the Musanze Craft Center, Ndayambaje Deogratias, told IGIHE that their operations changed from January 15, 2022, when they moved to a spacious, beautiful location where they can also benefit from collective learning.
He said, “Comparing where we used to work and where we are today, there is a vast difference in size and appearance. Engaging in craftsmanship involves continuous learning, observing the innovations of others, and trying to create new things in your work. This is different from our previous situation where we were very few, as craftsmen were scattered all over Musanze City.”
Nyirasafari Sawiya, who sells timber at the craft center, entered the business after realizing that selling clothes had become overly common. She decided to venture into the craft center.
She told IGIHE that she sells no fewer than two thousand pieces of timber per month, each priced between 2500 and 3500 Frw.
She said, “Many things we need come from timber, and there is never a time when it’s not needed. This is the central point for all timber, making it quicker to access than in the city, which was congested. Today, this place is spacious and accommodates many people from nearly all the sectors of the district.”
The craft center also serves as a training ground for the youth, enabling them to develop skills for self-improvement through various crafts and trades.
On the other hand, another group of young people gathers in the Muhoza Sector at the Youth Center, also built with Enabel’s support, where they gain knowledge and skills in technology, entrepreneurship, and job hunting.
Mwamarakiza Martin, who now provides technology services in Musanze City, told IGIHE that the knowledge he gained from the youth center in the district enabled him to become an entrepreneur and employ his peers.
He said, “I had just left school in Butare and felt like a student who hadn’t reached the level of doing things to sell. But here, they were a good example of how I could start my own project, how to procure things and sell them, especially as technology involves mostly using your brain and buying a few tools to achieve what you want.”
The Mayor of Musanze District, Nsengimana Claudien, told IGIHE that the projects developed in partnership with Enabel are helping residents, particularly the youth, to conduct research and advance themselves.
He said, “They helped us build the youth center where they gather and the equipment within that building, enabling them to conduct research and enhance their knowledge because it is a center equipped with modern technology and tools. It helps the youth in conducting research, such as farmers finding modern farming methods, students enhancing their education quality, and various groups benefiting from the center.”
Mayor Nsengimana stated that the Musanze Craft Center plays a role in boosting the economy of the residents as it accommodates over 700 workers.
“Their families are sustained because of the income generated from the work they do there, and it continues to help various people create jobs.”
The Youth Center cost 1.7 billion Frw to build, while the craft center cost 1.5 billion Frw.
Currently, the Musanze Youth Center receives around 600 visitors seeking job opportunities and entrepreneurship training, 700 monthly visitors seeking reproductive health services, 500 monthly visitors using computers, and approximately 9,000 participants in sports and recreational activities.
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