A fashion show aimed at raising funds for refugees in Mahama camp will take place today at Hotel des Mille Collines in Kigali.

Local and international designers, several artists and comedians are expected to grace the event being organised by Judicaelle Irakoze, the CEO of Abigaelle Closet in Portland-USA.

Dubbed ‘Refugees Matter,’ proceeds from the fashion show, will be donated to benefit refugees in Mahama Camp in Mahama Sector, Kirehe District. The camp is home to 44,000 refugees.

Local fashion houses including Byalphacoture, Aur Creations, Uzuri KY, Seraphina Clothes, Dokmai Rwanda and By Alpha Couture based in the United States, will be part of the event as they showcase their creations to the attendees for the great cause.

Other private organisations that will showcase include Folly Films, Green Chic, Alidah Makeup, Platinum DJ and Ellis Bahati. Comedian Michael Sengazi will entertain attendees with his rib cracking jokes.

According to the organiser, this event is to prove to people that fashion can be a platform for the voiceless, empower communities, and, give hope to the hopeless.

Irakoze added that on top of helping refugees at the camp, proceeds will be used to train women in the camp to attain skills in making their own sanitary pads which will benefit them for a long period.

"My team and I had thought of just giving these women sanitary pads but we later realised this is a monthly matter, so we decided to collaborate with Sacode, a nonprofit organisation that will train women at the camp to make their own pads,” she says.

She added that this will make the women independent and, will also expose them to skills from which they can begin their own business in making and selling pads.

Guests are requested to bring clothes, shoes and any other items they no longer use for donating to the needy at the camp.

Tickets go for Rwf20, 000 and Rwf35, 000 and can be bought at the hotel or, at the entrance during the event.

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