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 cooperative decided to group together with the purpose of fighting poverty and improving the quality of life using their skilled hands.
Ababerarugo means Beautify...
29th April 2022/by Sheila UwimanaAbaberarugo means Beautify...
Abadacogora Cooperative
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...
11th May 2022/by Sheila UwimanaAbadahigwa Cooperative
The elders wish to see their youngest grow and teach their siblings as a way of preserve the cultural generation to generation.
Abadahigwa means The people who can't be surpa...
4th September 2024/by Sheila UwimanaAbadahigwa means The people who can't be surpa...
Abaharaniriterambere Cooperative
Banana leaves and stalks become beautiful and functional household goods through hand craftsmanship.
Abaharaniriterambere means People Fighting for Development, and the weave...
19th August 2016/by Da-Woon ChungAbaharaniriterambere means People Fighting for Development, and the weave...
Abahuje Cooperative in Byimana
The women of Abahuje Cooperative are aiming to be the best weavers they can be by always improving the quality of the bowls they create. Several members of the group have already m...
28th November 2016/by Kath McGuireAbanyarukundo Cooperative
Abanyarukundo cooperative's purpose is to develop their families and their community at the same time by using their skilled hands.
Abanyarukundo means People of love, and th...
24th February 2025/by Sheila UwimanaAbanyarukundo means People of love, and th...
Abarikumwe Association
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 togeth...
29th November 2016/by Kath McGuireAbibumbye Cooperative
This group of over 20 women work together as a family to support each other and develop their skills. Since working with Azizi Life they have been able to buy annual health insuran...
28th November 2016/by Kath McGuireAbihuje Cooperative
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 t...
29th November 2016/by Kath McGuireAbihuta mu Iterambere Cooperative
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 insuran...
19th September 2019/by Christi WhitekettleAbishyizehamwe Cooperative
Abishyizehamwe cooperative decided to group together with the purpose of fighting poverty and improving the quality of life using their skilled hands.
Abishyizehamwe means Th...
3rd March 2025/by Sheila UwimanaAbishyizehamwe means Th...
Abizeranye Cooperative
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 wellb...
29th November 2016/by Kath McGuireWith her fair wage income, she provides for the wellb...
Abumurava Cooperative
Abumurava’s vision is to work together in order that the members may develop themselves, increase their standard of living, and reduce their financial dependence on others. Through...
28th November 2016/by Kath McGuireAgaseke k’Amahoro Cooperative
The artisans of Agaseke k’Amahoro weave Traditional Grass Peace Baskets. The cooperative, born from the turmoil of the genocide, is comprised of neighbors from both sides of the co...
28th November 2016/by Kath McGuireAVEKI Widows’ Cooperative
The members of AVEKI Widows’ Cooperative meet weekly to weave natural sisal fibers into beautiful baskets and household items. With their craft, the women are fighting against pove...
28th November 2016/by Kath McGuireBeeutiful Creations
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 ‘Beeuti...
20th May 2020/by Tom MacGregorCPEFO Amizero Cooperative
The three young artisans of CPEFO Amizero have two main things in common. The first is their background of poverty and struggle. As youth, Sixbert, Media and Clementine were orphan...
28th November 2016/by Kath McGuireDukoranumurava Cooperative
Natural sisal fibers threated over a core of locally gathered forest grasses become beautiful decor and functional household goods through hand craftsmanship.
Dukoranumurava ...
29th August 2024/by Sheila UwimanaDukoranumurava ...
Duteraninkunga Cooperative
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 eventual...
28th November 2016/by Kath McGuireDuterimbere Cooperative
Natural sisal fibers threated over a core of locally gathered forest grasses become beautiful decor and functional household goods through hand craftsmanship.
Duterimbere mea...
21st November 2023/by Sheila UwimanaDuterimbere mea...
Francine Mukamabano
A householder and skilled potter, Francine uses traditional techniques to craft clay products like candle holders and piggy banks....
28th November 2016/by Kath McGuireHezekiah Kwihangana
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 suppor...
28th November 2016/by Kath McGuireIbyishimo Joy Sewing Cooperative
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 ...
28th November 2016/by Kath McGuireIcyizere Cooperative
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 Lif...
19th September 2022/by Sheila UwimanaInganzo Cooperative
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....
28th November 2016/by Kath McGuireIngobokarugo Cooperative
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 artisan...
28th November 2016/by Kath McGuireInzira ya Vision
"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 cra...
29th August 2019/by Tom MacGregorKanguka Cooperative
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....
28th November 2016/by Sheila UwimanaKIIUKA Cooperative
KIIUKA Cooperative is a group of 6 young talented men who specialize in wood carving.
...
28th September 2023/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 sustainabl...
28th November 2016/by Kath McGuirePetronille 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 ...
28th November 2016/by Kath McGuireTunozumurimo Cooperative
Tunozumurimo members used to work separately and their income was too low because of lack of ideas, market and experience....
31st October 2022/by Sheila UwimanaTwisungane 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 banan...
28th November 2016/by Kath McGuireTwitezimbere Agaseke Cooperative
29th November 2016/by Kath McGuireTwivanemubukene 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...
28th November 2016/by Kath McGuireTwuzuzanye 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 UwimanaUbuzima 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 inves...
9th November 2017/by Tom MacGregorZamuka 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 buil...
28th November 2016/by Kath McGuire
