After enduring the 1994 Tutsi genocide which destroyed property and displaced several people, Rwandan women today have managed to overcome effects of the genocide by weaving for the future.
Most women have today converged in different associations and cooperatives from which they have engaged in income generating activities which have in effect transformed their lives making the nation stronger.
Igihe.com met some of these hardworking women to share their business achievements.
Janet Nkubana is the founder and president of Gahaya Links, a Rwandan handicrafts organization that empowers local rural women to achieve economic stability.
These women include victims of genocide widows, women living with HIV, and women with husbands in prison – all weaving together as a chance for reconciliation as they work side-by-side utilizing the same solution to rid their communities of poverty. Hence the name, ‘Peace Baskets’.
Gahaya Links has training programs from which women learn weaving methods and are given information about family planning, HIV/AIDS, finances and nutrition.
The women find a new sense of self-determination because they are able to earn their own income, take control of their own future, and play a leadership role in civilizing the society.
Gahaya Links joins more than 3,500 artisans in 40 cooperatives and associations all over Rwanda. “This is wonderful and it gives me hope that women know where we stand and contribute to our society,” says Jenet Nkubana.
Just like Gahaya links there are many self styled women who have joined hands together and used their rights to support the nation at large.
Muzirankoni Eugenia specialising in art of photo frames said that she has spent more than 5years doing this business and it gives her an opportunity of interacting with her fellow women from other countries because her market is not within the country only.
“I sell the frames in East Africa; Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania and in Europe. I always export to New York City and because of traveling most of the time I have learnt many things from my fellow women like to always have self esteem, optimistic and to always work hard for my children since am the mother and father at the same time,” She explains with a big smile on her face.
Muzirankoni main shop is located at Car Wash, a popular spot in Kigali city preferred by Kenyans in Kigali, “I have chosen this area because it is visited by foreigners especially Kenyan and whites.
Murekatete Monique who lost her husband during the 1994 Tutsi genocide has managed to survive with her two children. The past her taught her to be brave and hard working for the sake of her children.
“I did not know how to speak English or luganda, but in 2000 I decided to use the loan I had acquired and channeled it to business. I supply big super markets around city with chicken, flesh fish, eggs and I have obtained a lot of income,” Murekatete notes.
She now pays her children’s tuition that are at the university, bought a plot of land where she built a house and has since rented it to tenants.
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