Artisans receive recognition

Ten handcraft makers were on Friday recognised for their innovation. The 10 were among the 50 craft-makers who participated in a countrywide competition organised by the Ministry of Trade and Industry.The overall winner, Maria Uwimana, received a Rwf200,000 cheque. Marie Claire Uwera and Jacqlynne Bwiza, the first and second runners-up, received a Rwf100,000 cheque each. Speaking during the award-giving event at Gorilla Hotel in Nyarutarama, Kigali, Francois Kanimba, the Minister of Trade and Industry, said the competition aimed at encouraging creativity and innovation among handcraft makers. “Innovative and quality products are on high demand on the local and international markets,” he said.Kanimba said the ministry would organise training workshops to equip artisans with more skills to enable them produce quality products for export. The ministry will also market the crafts, he added.“I have been able to pay school fees for my children and medical insurance with the money earned from crafts. I have built a house for my family and bought cows,” said Uwimana, who hails from Muhanga District in the Southern Province.For Uwera, the recognition cemented her morale to work harder to improve her livelihood. She urged Rwandans to buy their products, saying they were of good quality and even better than imported crafts for home decoration.

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Artisans receive recognition