Artisans

They are parents and grandparents, they are farmers, they are friends, and they are role models. They laugh and bring laughter; they cry and comfort those around them; they live life and impact their communities in a unique way. These groups of remarkable women and men are supporting and coaching one another in their craft and in their lives as a whole. They have become our friends and partners, and it is our pleasure to introduce them to you here.

Ababerarugo Cooperative

Ababerarugo means:
Beautifying our Homes
Learn more.
29th April 2022/by Sheila Uwimana

Abadacogora Cooperative

Abadacogora means:
People who never give up.
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11th May 2022/by Sheila Uwimana

Abadahigwa Cooperative

Abadahigwa means:
People who can’t be surpassed
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4th September 2024/by Sheila Uwimana

Abaharaniriterambere Cooperative

Abaharaniriterambere means:
People Fighting For Development.
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19th August 2016/by Da-Woon Chung

Abahuje Cooperative in Byimana

Abahuje means:
People Who Have Come Together.
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28th November 2016/by Kath McGuire

Abanyarukundo Cooperative

Abanyarukundo means:
People of Love.
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24th February 2025/by Sheila Uwimana

Abarikumwe Association

Abarikumwe means:
People Who Are Together.
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29th November 2016/by Kath McGuire

Abibumbye Cooperative

Abibumbye means:
People enriched together.
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28th November 2016/by Kath McGuire

Abihuje Cooperative

Abihuje means:
People Who Have Come Together.
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29th November 2016/by Kath McGuire

Abihuta mu Iterambere Cooperative

Abihuta mu Iterambere means:
Racers to Development.
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19th September 2019/by Christi Whitekettle

Abishyizehamwe Cooperative

Abishyizehamwe means:
People who have come together.
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3rd March 2025/by Sheila Uwimana

Abizeranye Cooperative

Abizeranye means:
People Who Trust One Another.
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29th November 2016/by Kath McGuire

Abumurava Cooperative

Abumurava means:
People Striving for Excellence.
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28th November 2016/by Kath McGuire

Agaseke k’Amahoro Cooperative

Agaseke k’Amahoro means:
Peace Basket
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28th November 2016/by Kath McGuire

AVEKI Widows’ Cooperative

AVEKI means:
Let’s Be Together.
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28th November 2016/by Kath McGuire

Beeutiful Creations

Supporting Rwandan beekeepers and their bees
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20th May 2020/by Tom MacGregor

CPEFO Amizero Cooperative

Amizero means:
Hope.
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28th November 2016/by Kath McGuire

Dukoranumurava Cooperative

Dukoranumurava means:
Let’s work with courage.
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29th August 2024/by Sheila Uwimana

Duteraninkunga Cooperative

Duteraninkunga means:
Let’s Help Each Other.
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28th November 2016/by Kath McGuire

Duterimbere Cooperative

Duterimbere means:
Let’s Move Forward.
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21st November 2023/by Sheila Uwimana

Francine Mukamabano

A householder and skilled potter, Francine uses traditional techniques to craft clay products.
Learn more.
28th November 2016/by Kath McGuire

Hezekiah Kwihangana

Hezekiah learned woodcarving from his father, and in turn, he desires to teach other youth to carve.
Learn more
28th November 2016/by Kath McGuire

Ibyishimo Joy Sewing Cooperative

Ibyishimo means:
Joy
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28th November 2016/by Kath McGuire

Icyizere Cooperative

Icyizere means:
Hope
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19th September 2022/by Sheila Uwimana

Inganzo Cooperative

Inganzo means
Water Source.
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28th November 2016/by Kath McGuire

Ingobokarugo Cooperative

Ingobokarugo means:
Helping Our Homes.
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28th November 2016/by Kath McGuire

Inzira ya Vision

Inzira ya Vision means:
Path of Vision
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29th August 2019/by Tom MacGregor

Kanguka Cooperative

Kanguka means:
Wake Up!
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28th November 2016/by Sheila Uwimana

KIIUKA Cooperative

KIIUKA Cooperative is a group of 6 talented wood carvers.
Learn more
28th September 2023/by Sheila Uwimana

Kora Ubeho Cooperative

We first learned weaving as children, taught by our parents and neighbors. At that time, weaving was seen more as tradition than as a business that could improve our lives.
Kora Ubeho means Work and Live, and the weavers of this cooperative are now receiving fair prices, they are learning new skills, and they’ve grown to love their craft even more.
[highlight]We are now training our children so that this profession will continue for generations. [/highlight]
19th September 2025/by Sheila Uwimana

Kundagaseke Cooperative

Kundagaseke’s artistic specialty is weaving traditional Rwandan baskets from natural sisal fibers. The weavers’ primary desire is to connect with customers – a large and sustainable market – so that their weaving can provide a consistent income for them and their families. The members of the group also hope to keep progressing so they can follow their individual dreams: like paying tuition for their children to go to school. [highlight] Our purpose is to fight against poverty and to develop ourselves.[/highlight]
28th November 2016/by Kath McGuire

Petronille Uwimana

A widow with 4 children and 9 grandchildren, Petronille has been creating musical shakers from natural gourds for more than 20 years. The income from her shakers provides for her family. [highlight] In the future I would like to earn enough money from my craft to purchase a second cow.[/highlight]
28th November 2016/by Kath McGuire

Tunozumurimo Cooperative

Tunozumurimo members used to work separately and their income was too low because of lack of ideas, market and experience. [highlight] cooperative, selling the quality of products made by law materials found in their community; It is like sharing with the beauty, culture and knowledge of rural Rwandan community. .[/highlight]
31st October 2022/by Sheila Uwimana

Twisungane Association

The eleven orphans who make up the Twisungane Association have been trained in banana leaf crafts to provide an income to care for their families. They make a wide variety of banana leaf designs and continue to grow and develop their skills.
[highlight]We wish to one day own our own workshop and have sustainable, large orders.[/highlight]
28th November 2016/by Kath McGuire

Twitezimbere Agaseke Cooperative

29th November 2016/by Kath McGuire

Twivanemubukene Cooperative

The weavers of Twivanemubukene work together not only to get out of physical poverty through their craft sales, but also to support and encourage one another in all aspects of life. The women care for one another and help each other with loans from the group for urgent needs, and increased income which enables them to purchase food, soap, clothing, and school supplies. Guests rave about their Experience Days with Twivanemubukene artisans!
[highlight]Every week, we each make a contribution to the group, which is used for members in need.[/highlight]
28th November 2016/by Kath McGuire

Twuzuzanye Cooperative

Twuzuzanye Weavers is a group that is able to pay their family needs, able to make savings and they have good reputation in their area.
13th May 2022/by Sheila Uwimana

Ubuzima Bushya (Ubuzima Bwiza i Munazi)

Neighbors from the village of Munazi have come together to work with local bee products to create beautiful and useful goods! From the sale of their candles so far some have invested in farm animals and others refurbished their homes. But there is even more benefit than this.

[highlight]"Before working with this candle dipping group I was lonely, since working with them I now have a good group of friends whom I regularly meet."

Grace[/highlight]
9th November 2017/by Tom MacGregor

Zamuka Cooperative

The women of the Zamuka cooperative are focused and determined. They are determined to be excellent weavers. They are determined to support one another. They are determined to build a strong foundation for their cooperative, their families, and their community. The income from weaving means that they can invest in the health of their land and their families. [highlight]As a result of our weaving, our children have increased access to nutrition, health, and education.[/highlight]
28th November 2016/by Kath McGuire