A ceremony on January 12 brought an end to the Ishirahamwe Twiteze Imbere Gasabo (ITIGA) course of vocational training. The course, which began on November 27, taught participants how to weave baskets.

ITIGA, which means ‘Cooperative to Move us Forward’, is located in Gasabo District, Kigali. It begun as an association but has since become a cooperative as a result of the government’s initiative to increase cooperatives in the country. 

ITIGA, which was set up two years ago, was founded by twelve women. Kampire Clementine, 35, president of the cooperative, told The New Times that today there are 30 members all of whom are female. 

The training costs and the initial start up costs for individuals are covered by the Rural Support Sector Project (RSSP).

RSSP, brainchild of the Government of Rwanda and in association with the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, aims at revitalising the rural economy and improving the quality of life of the rural poor.

Having undergone the training the women are able to make the woven baskets alone. Baskets are then sold through ITIGA and, once the women have been given a small salary, profits made go back into the cooperative.

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