Blog
Christine of the Ingenzi Knit Union is most thankful to have work that earns her a living – only a few years ago this was not the case. Christine was raised by her grandmother who passed away when she was 17 years old. Left to support herself, Christine found a job cleaning a family’s home in Butare. However, when the Genocide began, her employer kicked her out and Christine was left on the streets with nowhere to go. As was the deeply painful case for many women at that time, she became a victim of rape.
Christine escaped from Butare to Kigali, but her struggles did not end there. When she arrived, she stayed with a man she had met during her escape - that is, until he decided to marry her off to a man she had never met. In the years that followed, Christine was forced to bear three children by him. But when one of those children died, Christine was faced with another piece of devastation: he had been HIV+.
She immediately went to the hospital to get tested and found out that she was also HIV+, although somehow her husband had managed not to contract the disease. When he heard the news, he left her and her children to fend for themselves. To make ends meet, Christine began selling avocados on the streets, but her children were often forced to drop out of school because she could not afford to pay their tuition. Soon, hours spent working under the scorching sun took a toll on her already ailing health and she fell seriously ill.
Christine sought solace at Mpore Mama, an association of HIV+ women based at the Kacyiru Police Hospital, where she had first learned about her HIV status. Shortly thereafter, a woman from the United States donated knitting machines to Mpore Mama, as well as several other organizations, which have since merged to become the Ingenzi Knit Union.
With the help of the other women, Christine quickly learned how to crochet and knit – skills that she says saved her life. Today, through Mpore Mama’s partnership with Indego Africa, Chrisine earns a steady income for her work. She is able to provide for her children and send them to school – something that she and her family are deeply proud of. She can also afford medical insurance, which provides her with access to the medications she needs to manage her disease.
Today, Christine is able not only to survive but to live and for that, she is deeply grateful. Her goal for the future is to earn enough money to buy her own house – an investment in her children and in the generations of her family to come. We have every reason to believe that she will accomplish this goal and many more.
This November, we are taking a moment to pause and reflect on all of the things that we and our artisan partners are thankful for. We hope you'll join in! #spreadthanks---Immaculee is one of the multitalented artisans of the Ibyishimo cooperative. A warm, kind, and inquisitive person, Immaculee exudes a quiet confidence that inspires those she meets. When she speaks, her eyes fill with a light that infuses everyone & everything around her, spreading joy & delight.
While today Immaculee is deeply thankful for many of things in her life, her journey to find happiness was beset with painful obstacles to overcome.
When Immaculee was 12 years old, she lost her father, seven siblings, and more than 60 relatives during the Rwandan Genocide against the Tutsis. When the violence ended, and the country reeled to reinstate the rhythms of everyday life, Immaculee struggled to cope with this devastating loss. For years she had trouble concentrating in school, particularly around the annual commemoration of the Genocide. She was shaken by every problem she faced, thinking about what her father would have done and yearning for his advice. Unable to manage the emotional stress and pressures of school, Immaculee dropped out.
Faced with the necessity of supporting herself, Immaculee packed her bags and left her hometown of Gitarama for Kigali. There she found a job at a bar where, as fate would have it, she met her husband {with whom she now has two children}. After her second child was born, Immaculee decided it was time to leave her job at the bar and seek another form of employment. Luckily for us, she was introduced to Ibyishimo through her church and quickly joined the ranks of its talented artisans mastering the art of sewing with ease (and today, friendship bracelet weaving and dreamcatcher making!)
These days, Immaculee tells us that she has much to be thankful for. She is thankful to live in a safe neighborhood and provide a good life for herself and her family. She is also thankful to have earned enough money working with Indego Africa to purchase a plot of land where she will begin to build a home next year. Most importantly, she is thankful for her family and for the feeling of harmony she has in her life.
On the first day of school the air always feels different – suffused, somehow, with the excitement of the occasion. Sights, feelings, and sensations are heightened as you take in new surroundings, relishing each moment and preparing for the journey ahead.
Wednesday, October 1st was the first day of school for 25 of our artisan partners as classes launched at our brand new Leadership Academy in Kigali. Students, selected from across our partner cooperatives, gathered in our Academy classroom promptly at 9 AM, overflowing with excitement and enthusiasm for what was to come.
After a detailed orientation and question-and-answer session, the students got to work studying the advanced-business-topic-of-the-day: inventory management. The goal of the lesson was to help the students develop effective strategies for tracking products and materials at their cooperatives. Rosine Urujeni, our Country Director, began the session by defining key vocabulary terms and reviewing some tried-and-true methods of inventory management. Once the lecture was over, she turned it over to the students to put what they learned into practice.
The students broke into small groups to complete inventory-tracking exercises based on the kinds of scenarios they experience everyday at their cooperatives. The class ended with a lively competition between the students over which group could get the most answers right. They were, of course, all winners in our eyes.
Day two’s lesson topic was communications with buyers and donors. The goal of the session was to understand the motivations of buyers and donors and hone methods for communicating with them. The class went through several example buyer and donor profiles and brainstormed methods for communicating with them. Rosine then led a discussion on communication best practices, emphasizing the importance of empathy, honesty, accuracy, responsiveness, and enthusiasm. At the end of class, students got to put these methods to the test through a series of role-play exercises - which many took above and beyond, challenging their scene partners with particularly tough characters.
At the end of the session, many of the students expressed how much they appreciated that the lessons were tailored specifically to them and the kinds of challenges they face at their cooperatives. Moving forward, we are confident that they will use the lessons they learn to grow and improve their businesses, leading to increased income and prosperity for all of our artisan partners. We cannot wait for what the rest of the semester has in store, and neither can they!
Passion for education runs in my family. My parents were both teachers and from a young age they instilled in me a deep love of learning and a strong work ethic. As I grew older, I began to understand the powerful opportunities that education offers those lucky enough to receive it – for me: career choices, financial independence, and a sense of self-empowerment. I also became acutely aware of the uneven distribution of these opportunities around the world, particularly for women.I left for college with this awareness top of mind. While afterwards I decided to go to business school and pursue a career on Wall Street, I always knew that one day I would work to provide women around the world with the educational opportunities I had had.
Fast-forward to 2011 when, after 24 years working at Merrill Lynch, I decided it was time to make a change. After exploring a range of organizations working towards social good, I came across Indego Africa. A nonprofit that was seeking to empower women in Rwanda through business and education? I was sold.
Three years later, and now as CEO, I have seen firsthand the power of this model to make a deep impact in the lives of women in Rwanda. Today, 64% of our artisan partners are the primary income earners in their families, 77% are able to send all of their children to school, and 90% can afford medical insurance. These are only a few examples of the ways in which these women are lifting themselves out of poverty and creating brighter futures for their families.
Spending time in Rwanda and meeting the incredible women we partner with, I have been deeply moved by their resilience, determination, and sheer ingenuity in the face of trying circumstances. Despite the different contexts in which we live, it is inspiring to be able to relate to one another over what it’s like to provide for a family, be a working mother, or make sacrifices for one’s children. One of the things I am most inspired by is just how far they have come with their educations.
With only a few years of basic education training, many of these women are “dreaming dreams they did not know it was possible to dream” (to quote from one of our artisan partners, Emelienne.) They have already begun to start new businesses and take on leadership roles in their communities. I am deeply proud that today, many of these women have asked us to help them take their educations to the next level.
That is why, this fall, we are launching a Leadership Academy to provide them with the advanced business and leadership training they need to thrive as successful, independent businesswomen and entrepreneurs. By empowering these women with the confidence and skills to assume enhanced leadership roles in their communities, we hope to grow the next generation of female leaders and change-makers in Rwanda.
I encourage you to think about what your education has done for you, and how much your support could do for these incredible women in Rwanda. The possibilities are endless.
Make their dreams a reality by donating to our Leadership Academy!
Emelienne Nyiramana is the founder of Cocoki – the first cooperative we partnered with when we began our journey in Rwanda in 2007. Emelienne is one of our many artisan partners whose education was abruptly interrupted by the 1994 genocide. When several of her family members were killed, Emelienne was forced into a life of day-to-day survival – eluding génocidaires in fields and scrambling to eke together enough money and food to survive.Today, Emelienne embodies the notion of empowerment. Since beginning our education programs, she has taught herself how to speak fluent English, studied for (and received!) her GED, graduated from Goldman Sachs’ 10,000 Women initiative, and become a trusted leader, mentor, and role model to countless women in her community and beyond.
We are honored to have Emelienne serve as a Teaching Assistant for our Leadership Academy. In this position, she will assist the Head Teacher in lesson planning & instruction, and serve as a pillar of support and guidance for students.
We asked her to share a few words with us about why she is excited for this opportunity. Here is what she had to say:
Why do you want to you want to serve as a Teaching Assistant for the Leadership Academy?
I improved my knowledge so much through the Indego Africa’s trainings. I want to help other women achieve their dreams through the Leadership Academy.
Why is education important to you?
Education is very important to me because it helped me to be the person I am today, and be where I am today.
What are your goals for your children’s futures?
I want my children to go all the way through university and have any future of their choosing.
What are your goals for your own future?
My goals are to make every woman empowered, teaching them about business, and advising everyone of them to go to school.
By helping Emelienne achieve her dreams, you will help countless other women empower themselves through the education. Donate to our Leadership Academy today!
As we prepare to launch our Leadership Academy in Rwanda, we find ourselves drawn again and again to the word “dreams”: our artisan partners’ dreams for their futures and our dreams to help make them a reality. So it was only natural that we sit down with Genga, the designer behind the gorgeous dreamcatchers of Spoke Woven, to talk about the meaning and importance of dreaming and dreaming big. As the talented designer behind the iconic oversized dream catchers of Spoke Woven, we of course think of you as the ultimate dreamer yourself. Why are dreams so important to you?
Being the "ultimate dreamer"!! - such an amazing compliment! I believe dreams make up a large part of our composition, as the individuals we are and grow into over time. It is the driving force that guides us to hope, change, build and realize our destiny. I think dreaming is the best way to love and respect the lives we are given and to flourish!
Our artisan partners have so many dreams - from sending their kids to school to opening their own businesses. For them, education is an important stepping-stone in making these dreams come true. How has your education helped you achieve your dreams?
My education has been a HUGE part of my life! I love school! I have a Masters of Fine Arts in Film, from Boston University that I am very proud of. Not only was the education valuable from a skill and knowledge standpoint, but it was the right environment for me to learn about myself and my desires on a very deep, multi-faceted level. So when it came to entering the work world, I felt very confident about not only what I could do, but what I was passionate about doing. That being said, I also believe that education doesn't always come from a school setting. Some people respond to others forms of education like apprenticeship programs or internships or trade schools and they all offer amazing tools to realize your dreams.
From branding to budgets, our artisan partners are excited to learn the ins and outs of all things business. What was your favorite subject to study in school and why?
My favorite subject was literature. I'm a real book worm and, as my life progressed, I became obsessed with film as well. I love stories. The art of writing a story, and the act of living your own story. Being able to read, enjoy, and even sometimes endure the journeys of others, provides so many open doors to understanding truths about yourself. Having the opportunity to have my mind opened through literature of all different cultures and later on through film as well, brought perspectives to my life and opened my eyes in ways I never thought possible.
Help our artisan partners achieve their dreams by donating to support our Leadership Academy!
Marie Josee Numukobwa is the Treasurer of Twiyubake – a banana-leaf-weaving cooperative located in Mukarange, Rwanda. 43 years old, Marie Josee is the proud mother of six children, a well-regarded health advisor in her community, and a graduate of Goldman Sachs’ 10,000 Women initiative. She is excited to serve as a Student Fellow for our soon-to-be-launched Leadership Academy, which will provide advanced business and leadership training for some of the incredible women artisans we partner with. As a Student Fellow, Marie Josee will lead weekly small discussion sessions with other students. We interviewed her to find out more about her goals for the Leadership Academy, her business, and her children’s futures. Here’s what she had to say:
What grade level did you complete in school?
6 years of Secondary School {12th grade in the United States}
What is the most important thing you have learned from Indego Africa's education programs?
I learned how to manage and save my money, which allowed me to buy my own knitting machine. Since then, I’ve started to knit sweaters and sell them in the local markets. I want to teach the women I work with to use the machine as well so they can also earn additional income.
Why do you want to serve as a Student Fellow for the Leadership Academy?
I am interested in participating in the Leadership Academy so I can learn more about how to grow my knitting business, and so I can learn from the experiences of other students.
What are you most exciting about learning at the Leadership Academy?
I am most excited to study business management.
Why is education important to you?
Knowledge is what will help me and my family succeed in life.
You have six children – what are your goals for their futures?
I want my children to have a better education than I had and to study hard so they can advance in their lives and better themselves.
What are your goals for your own future?
I want to grow my business on a larger scale and open my own store one day.
Help Marie and other women access the education they need to empower themselves, their families, and their communities by donating to our Leadership Academy!
This fall, we are going back-to-school with the launch of our Leadership Academy in Kigali, Rwanda – an institution that will provide advanced business education for the incredible women entrepreneurs we partner with in Rwanda.
In preparing to take our education programs to the next level, we wanted to chat with some of the amazing women we know here about what their educations have meant to them. Naturally, we thought of Danielle & Jodie Snyder: the sensational sisters behind one of our favorite jewelry brands {and a long-time Indego Africa partner!} DANNIJO. Here’s what they had to say: When we hear the word education we think of opportunity and empowerment. What does education mean to you and how has it helped you become the person you are today?
Danielle: When I hear the word education, I think of Malala, "Let us pick up our books and pens. They are our most powerful weapons." Education should be a fundamental right not a luxury--everyone should have access to it. My education gave me confidence, passion and a strong foundation to go out into the world and achieve whatever I set my mind to.
Jodie: Education is the basis for navigating a successful, fulfilling, and influential life. My education gave me structure and focus and motivated me to push boundaries and create greatness.
From branding to budgets, our artisan partners are excited to learn the ins and outs of all things business. What was your favorite subject to study in school and why?
Danielle: Psychology because it applies to every person and every profession. Understanding what motivates people and the importance of strong relationships is the foundation to my success. I also loved English and reading about people--especially in the first person. I love the way the mind works and I've always been able to empathize with genuine, honest and sensitive characters.
Jodie: History. I loved learning about how we got to where we are today. I also loved Math because there's always a solution.
To support education for women in Rwanda, donate here!
