Basketry   |   Knitting   |   A Knitter's Story

Most of our Rwandan artisans are from Gitarama and Ntenyo, two areas devastated by the 1994 genocide. Our Rwandan partner, Gahaya Links, launched a cooperative here and now more than 600 women have a source of employment, weaving beautiful baskets and other household items.

The cooperative has nine subgroups each with an elected president, secretary and treasurer who manage production, keep track of individual earnings and facilitate financial transactions. In addition to paying living wages weaving, we provide these women with small loans and manage a program that donates goats to needy families in Gitarama and throughout Rwanda.

In the picture to the right, our local partner Janet Nkubana (straw hat) works through the finances of paying for the baskets, and checks on the quality standards during the twice monthly collection day.

Janet and her sister Joy Ndungutse are working with Rwanda Partners as well as the Rwandan Ministry of Gender to secure funding and a government land lease for a community center that would serve as a collection and training center, as well be a place for people come to resolve local issues and hold provincial events.