In most African cultures, women have immense influence in family and community life. When a lady is educated and empowered, she is most likely to commit her time, money and skills to educating her children and her community members. It is in this regard that Handspun Hope Organization came to its existence in 2008. Based in the northern part of the country -Musanze District, the organization focuses on reaching out to the most vulnerable women in the community through making handcrafts using wool from the sheep. Changing the lives of women Simon Pierre Dufitumukiza, the Director of the organization said they support women by teaching them the whole process of obtaining the wool from the sheep to making different handmade clothes by knitting the wool. This is from shearing (the process of removing wool from the sheep), scouring-(washing the wool) grading-(wool sorting) to dyeing and drying. After spinning the wool (yarn), they make thread using their own hands to come up with final products which are fine woollen garments such as sweaters, scarfs, carpets, hats among others. Besides, they also do wool felting-which is a processing technique for wool that yields a non-woven fabric of unusual sturdiness, water resistance, and wind resistance. The resulting textile is known as felt or boiled wool. The reason behind the intervention Dufitumukiza explained, is to ensure women are kept employed. Also, there is a need for the organization to conserve and value this kind of art done by hands (natural). “Identifying and fostering creativity is crucial for continued economic growth and social change not only in Rwanda but Africa in general. Apart from the business perspective and creating jobs, the mental aspect also comes in,” he added. They recruit vulnerable women from the community, they range from widows, young mothers, HIV positive patients to those from poor backgrounds. With their members’ vulnerability exposing them to trauma, the organization offers trauma counseling to the beneficiaries by providing psycho education and individual counseling. Beneficiaries share their stories If it wasn’t for Handspun Hope Organization, the women attested that they wouldn’t have become the open minded people they are today. For instance, the organization has helped them embrace the changes that come their way. One such example, they said is using their big number to come up with their own grocery shop as a group, which they plan to start soon. From 120 members, each will contribute Rwf 50,000 of which at the moment each has so far contributed Rwf 10,000. The main purpose is to have a store of their own to buy what they want to from, instead of buying elsewhere, and share dividends amongst themselves. Donatinne Muteteri, a mother of one narrated that joining the organization three years ago has helped her overcome a miserable life she went through as a child growing up without parents. Apart from her child being in school and catered for in terms of medical insurance, she has also bought a cow from her savings, which has helped in improving her living standards in general. Jacqueline Mukayuhi, another beneficiary attested that she has managed to invest in farming where she has been renting farms and planting Irish potatoes. The profit from this, she is planning to buy her own land to continue with the farming activities. Moving forward The organization commenced with ten beneficiaries but now has 117, working on a permanent basis. They have 360 merino sheep they rear for wool. The organization has so far built homes for 16 beneficiaries, and plans to do the same to others. Accountancy and saving are other skills women benefit from. The members are also encouraged to take their kids to school, with the aim of trying to break the cycle of poverty as they believe empowerment, chiefly through vulnerable women, is a central principle for reducing poverty and improving the health and wellbeing of children and communities. “Equipping, educating and employing are key facets in helping individuals find sustainable solutions to poverty,” said Dufitumukiza.
