Mukandutiye weaving her way through life

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