On a sunny Wednesday afternoon we snake our way to a homestead where a group of women runs a courtage industry. As we approach, a group of women seems to be in deep meditation. However, as we get closer I notice that the women are actually busy weaving baskets. 

The women’s hands also move in unison with the folk song they are humming in undertones. They are oblivious of our presence.

A call for attention from their leader Christine Kado rips through their world and; one by one, they stop the monosyllabic humming. This is the welcome Berwa Women’s Association, a handicraft-making group found in Kamusenyi, Byimana in Ruhango District accords us.

These women mean business; they do. As if on cue, Kado informs us that the group that was formed in 2006 seeks to advance the living standards of members. The group makes different handicrafts and ornaments, including baskets, table mats, earrings and balls for the export market. Their main buyer is Beauty of Rwanda, UK-based jewellery and home décor organisation that promotes and support economic empowerment of women in Rwanda.

"Our aim is to support these women so they can be able to improve their livelihoods and those of their families,” says Salha Kaitesi, the managing director of Beauty of Rwanda, who had joined us minutes earlier.

Beauty of Rwanda is born

When two old friends paths crossed Beauty of Rwanda was born, and with boundless opportunity for the group.

Kaitesi says her relationship with Berwa started when she met Kado in 2011, and told her about the group and their struggles to get a steady market for crafts.

"Because I wanted to give something back to Rwanda and my community, I accepted to help; that’s how Beauty of Rwanda started,” explains Kaitesi who stays in Newcastle in the UK.

"I agreed to market the handicrafts because I was impressed by the women’s enthusiasm to improve their lives. Besides, these women make beautiful things…they deserve to sell them anywhere in the world,” Kaitesi notes.

And take them to the world she did by setting the Beauty of Rwanda website, where she markets the crafts to global buyers from as far as the US, China, the rest of Europe and the UK.

Kaitesi says she is now working with New Castle University students in the UK to market the group’s art crafts, help on product design as well as networking for the group. "We want to work with more people and organisations to grow the market, which we hope will help kick poverty out of Rwanda ‘one basket at a time’,” she says.

With the little we have done, I am always happy when they tell me about all the things they have been able to do for themselves.

"These are humble, hardworking women who want a better life for themselves and their families; the least I can do is market their products,” Kaitesi notes.

How it works

The group works individually and only come together when they are handling big orders, Kado explains. To ensure quality, all the materials and dyes are single sourced; and are designs discussed fully before starting on a project.

When the handicrafts are ready, members deliver them to Kado who records and stores them. Kaitesi always sends the money through me when she needs new supplies, Kado says, noting that when the order is ready, she contacts her Beauty of Rwanda agents in Kigali to collect the handicrafts and ship them to the UK. This cycle has played for the past three or so years now, and only the sky can be the limit for the two partners.

Challenges

Frances Niyonzima, a member of the group, says "banks and microfinance institutions don’t give loans which affects our growth.”

Kado says the group also lacks a warehouse, equipment like computers to help with design or working place of their own.

"Sometimes we get orders but lack raw materials because the forests from where we used to get them were cleared, and now we have to travel long distances to Kibuye or Gikongoro,” she says. At times we are forced to source for raw materials from Uganda, especially dyes.

The future

Kaitesi says Beauty of Rwanda goal is to see that each member of the group does not lack anything; has an income-generating project to "ensure sustainable income streams for their families”.

Kado hopes the group members will be self-reliant, able to pay health insurance and children’s school fees with ease; and able to run businesses profitably.

She sees the group registered and recognised by the government, with its own office, computers and Internet connection. The group currently works from Kado’s courtyard on designated days and when they are working on urgent orders.

"In two years, all members should have business management, bookkeeping and accounting skills.

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Berwa members speak out

Naome, 15-year-old ,school girl

I joined the group to be able to supplement my parents’ efforts and buy scholastic materials; learn skills that will help me in future to start my own business. Students and youth should learn vocational skills so they can be able to make products to sustain them instead of solely depending on their parents for everything.

Francoise Nyirahabimana

I was able to buy my first pair of shoes from my handicraft sales. I no longer ask my husband for everything I need and pay for the family’s health insurance.

Maliceline Mukamana of Nyakabuye village

I never used to have a penny to my name but today I am able to support my family, buy food and other basic necessities, as well as pay health insurance in time. I have built a permanent house from the money I earn, I have about 10 chicken, two pigs and one cow.