In Rwanda today, weaving is one of the hottest businesses for women. The products are not only sold in Rwanda, the market has also gained momentum abroad. Today, a huge number of rural women earn a living from this trade. The Sunday Times recently caught up with Leonille Mukandutiye in Nyagatare, Eastern province and this is what she had to say on weaving.  

Q:  Can you please introduce yourself?

A:  I am called Leonille Mukandutiye. I live in Ruhengeri; it is in the Northern Province.

Q: What brings you to Nyagatare?

A:  I came to train people to weave and knit. 

Q: How many are they?

A:  About 30 women.

Q: 30 people are many, is it an association?

A: Yes, it is an association.

Q: What is the association called? 

A: It is called Nyagatare Women Hand Craft Cooperative.                        

Q: What do you exactly train the women in?

A: I train them on how to weave sweaters, scarves, socks, babies’ clothes.  

Q: How long will you be here?

A: For at least a month.

Q: How and when did you start weaving?

A: I learnt weaving and knitting from my elder sister 

Q: If you do recall, how old were you at the time?

A: I was 9.

Q: Interesting…How did you move to the level of training others?  

A: It is long journey… (She laughs). 

Q: Just tell me briefly?

A: After my studies, I went for training in weaving and knitting.

Q: Where exactly?

A: Tabara school of weaving and knitting in Ruhengeri.

Q: Then from there what happened?

A:  I worked at PPMER Association.

Q: How was the pay?

A: It was a fair.

Q: If not a secret, how much were you paid?

A: Rwf 80,000. Later I started my own association training women and girls in weaving and knitting. .

Q: What is the name of the association?

A: It called Ihirwe

Q: That is pretty good. Did you have any sponsor?

A: Yes, PPMER but I also helped myself.

Q: How did you help yourself?

A: From the students’ fees, I managed to buy 3 weaving machines.

Q: Who are your clients?

A: Schools and individuals 

Q: Any challenges?

A: Lack of adequate machines and materials.

Q: How are you seeing yourself in the next one year?

A: A great consultant regarding weaving and knitting using modern machines. 

Q: Have people from other nations consulated you?

A: Yeah…soon I will be going to Burundi to pioneer a weaving association.   

Q: Any message to fellow young women?

A: Utilize the talents, start small and get over whelmed when success knocks

Contact: gachakim@yahoo.com