Duterimbere Cooperative

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Natural sisal fibers threated over a core of locally gathered forest grasses become beautiful decor and functional household goods through hand craftsmanship. Duterimbere means Let's Move Forward, and the weavers of this cooperative are determined to use their craft to lift their families out of poverty and contribute to their community. [highlight]We use our time together not only to weave and exchange advice, but also to discuss important topics such as women’s rights.[/highlight]

KIIUKA Cooperative

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KIIUKA Cooperative is a group of 6 young talented men who specialize in wood carving.[highlight]In terms of money and time, among the products we make, we like crafting measuring cups. But in terms of our feelings, we like crafting nativity sets, which remind us of the birth of Jesus. Working with Azizi Life is our hope; it is making us who we were wishing to be. - . Jabiro Jean de Dieu[/highlight]

Tunozumurimo Cooperative

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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]

Icyizere Cooperative

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Icyizere group learned sewing, print-making, pearls beautification and weaving. They decided to focus on weaving bowls and trivets because of the opportunity to work with Azizi Life.[highlight]With help from Azizi Life, Icyizere Shyogwe became more organized, members’ skills improved and they received fair wages for their products. ![/highlight]

Twuzuzanye Cooperative

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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.

Abadacogora Cooperative

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Abadacogora has 22 weavers.- half are older ladies and rest are youth. Each one learnt their weaving skills from their parents and continue to pass it down through the generations. [highlight]With hard work, strong financial management and prayers, Abadacogora strive to be successful and sustainable.[/highlight]

Ababerarugo Cooperative

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Ababerarugo cooperative decided to group together with the purpose of fighting poverty and improving the quality of life using their skilled hands. Ababerarugo means Beautifying our Homes, and the weavers of this cooperative are determined to use their craft to lift their families out of poverty and contribute to their community. [highlight]Ababerarugo boots the community spirit when they employ their neighbors during busy season of weaving.[/highlight]

Beeutiful Creations

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We're a Christian social enterprise based in Rwanda. We are committed to supporting beekeepers and their bees by purchasing bee-products and working with artisans to create ‘Beeutiful’ products. We closely partner with the entire supply chain in order to bring about economic, social and spiritual transformation.[highlight]Through working with us, our suppliers are better able to support their families, provide health insurance, and engage in further village-based micro-enterprise schemes.[/highlight]

Abihuta mu Iterambere Cooperative

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Within their first year of working together, the artisans of Abihuta were happy to find that they were able to start a savings group, pay for their family’s national health insurance and serve as an example and inspiration for their neighbors. [highlight]We love our customers around the world.[/highlight]

Inzira ya Vision

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"Path of Vision" cooperative is a group of young adult and experienced woodcarvers who are passionate and committed to push the limits of wood by making beautiful handmade wood crafts. [highlight]Isidor Ahisaziye learned to carve as a youth from one of the older artisans. Now Isidor, his wife and two children are sustained through his work. As an experienced artisan, Isidor is now teaching neighboring youth his art.[/highlight]

Ubuzima Bushya (Ubuzima Bwiza i Munazi)

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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]

Abizeranye Cooperative

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More than 4554 stitches are hand woven into every medium bowl. And with every stitch, the artisan had her family in mind. With her fair wage income, she provides for the wellbeing of her household in the Rwandan countryside. [highlight]Nourishment, health, education, and dreams for a bright future- your basket holds much love.[/highlight]

Abarikumwe Association

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The women of Abarikumwe are skilled farmers, excellent weavers, and delightful Experiences hostesses. One of Azizi Life’s first artisan partner groups, Abarikumwe has grown together with us, with much laughter along the way. The Abarikumwe artisans specialize in weaving jewelry from natural sisal fibers. [highlight]We are honored to introduce you to the creators of the very first Azizi Life Experience Day![/highlight]

Abihuje Cooperative

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The founders of Abihuje began with the hope that if they joined their strength and knowledge together, they could work towards a solution to their poverty. As they began to work together, the group not only grew in skill, but in friendship and mutual support. The women of Abihuje specialize in weaving Rwandan Sisal Peace Baskets.[highlight]With fair wages from their weaving and the strength of their friendships and faith, the women of Abihuje are raising their families out of poverty.[/highlight]

Zamuka Cooperative

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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]

Twivanemubukene Cooperative

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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]

Twisungane Association

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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]

Petronille Uwimana

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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]

Kundagaseke Cooperative

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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]

Kanguka Cooperative

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Priska Kanakuze is the founder of the Kanguka Cooperative. She has passed down her weaving skills and Priska’s daughter Redempta is also a member of the group. [highlight]When I was in the hospital about to have my first baby, I was scared. But then I remembered that it was Wednesday delivery day and at Azizi Life, my friends would be gathered together, praying for me. Then I felt assured and strengthened to bring my baby boy into the world.[/highlight] - Redempta

Ingobokarugo Cooperative

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The Ingabokarugo “Helping Our Homes” Cooperative is made up of more than twenty women who endeavor to contribute to the livelihoods of their families through weaving. These artisans also are much-loved hostesses of Azizi Life Experiences guests. [highlight]Our financial independence has improved our relationships with our husbands and enabled us to contribute to our households.[/highlight]

Inganzo Cooperative

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Inganzo’s artistic focus is wooden figures significant to faith or Rwandan culture, such as nativities or statues of Rwandans in the midst of daily life.[highlight]On a hill near my father’s home and next to my twin brother, I have built my own home with my income from wood carving. – Sylvere Maniraguha[/highlight]

Ibyishimo Joy Sewing Cooperative

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Since 2011 the members of Ibyishimo Sewing Association have been providing for the education and nutrition of their children. As they sew, they discuss marriage and life, advising and encouraging one another.[highlight]With foot pedal-powered sewing machines, seamstresses create beautiful goods from colorful market fabric.[/highlight]

Hezekiah Kwihangana

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Hezekiah learned woodcarving from his father, and in turn, he desires to teach other youth to carve. Creating beautiful birds ornaments and mobiles, Hezekiah is able to help support his mother and siblings since his father’s death. [highlight]Hezekiah’s birds are carved from the branches of the Jacaranda tree, which regenerates itself with continued growth after it has been cut.[/highlight]

Francine Mukamabano

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A householder and skilled potter, Francine uses traditional techniques to craft clay products like candle holders and piggy banks. [highlight]Clay dug from the valley, potted and fired with centuries-old methods, yields pottery with a distinctive tan, rust and black finish.[/highlight]

Duteraninkunga Cooperative

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The weavers of Duteraninkunga began as members of a savings and loan group who discovered that many had skills in weaving. Those weavers taught others in their group, and eventually a weaving cooperative was born. [highlight]With strength and endurance, Duteraninkunga weavers craft baskets larger than most weavers have ever made in their whole lives![/highlight]