These profiles, written about specific artisans, focus on the unique journey of each weaver. Paired with portrait photographs, profiles bring the Western consumer closer to the artisans to portray how artisan lives are transforming as a result of customer engagement with the company. Each story captures different struggles women have had to overcome in Rwandan society and what role working for All Across plays in their success

Harada, Haley

Harris, Christina

English

Scholar Commons - Santa Clara University

Santa Clara University Scholar Commons Miller Center Fellowship Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship 2017 All Across Africa: Artisan Profile Week 6 Christina Harris Haley Harada Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarcommons.scu.edu/gsbf Artisan	Profiles	Week	6		Nyiransabimana	Colette		48,	Co	Op	Leader,	2	children,	Rwanda,	Ihangare	Ruli		 I	am	fortunate	to	be	one	of	the	people	who	was	not	badly	affected	by	the	Rwandan	genocide.	Despite	this,	I	still	lost	my	father	at	a	young	age	and	grew	up	with	just	my	mother	raising	me.	I	was	not	able	to	complete	primary	education	and	became	pregnant	at	20	years	old.	The	father	of	my	child	did	not	want	to	marry	me,	so	I	was	responsible	for	providing	care	my	own.	A	few	years	later,	I	became	pregnant	again.	After	having	multiple	children	as	a	single	woman,	I	knew	I	would	not	be	able	to	marry	because	of	how	society	looked	at	me.	I	didn’t	want	to	let	this	stop	me.	I	wanted	instead	to	show	everyone	I	could	still	be	successful.			 After	the	genocide,	I	started	to	learn	how	to	weave.	This	gave	me	an	opportunity	to	meet	other	people,	including	other	single	mothers.	We	encouraged	each	other,	and	I	began	to	see	that	what	we	were	doing	was	important.	I	was	able	to	buy	a	home	for	children,	and	myself.	One	of	the	homes	even	has	electricity.	With	the	money	from	weaving	for	All	Across	Africa,	I	supported	the	costs	of	health	insurance	for	my	kids	and	my	mother.	In	some	aspects,	life	was	improving,	but	there	were	still	many	barriers	to	overcome.	My	eldest	daughter	became	pregnant	without	a	husband,	and,	around	the	same	time,	I	lost	my	mother.	I	also	learned	that	I	was	infected	with	HIV.	I	became	tired	all	the	time,	even	with	medication.	Through	these	hardships,	I	knew	we	couldn’t	lose	hope.	I	remained	faithful	and	did	not	place	blame	on	anyone	else.	Our	family	had	to	persevere,	love	each	other,	and	work	together.		The	former	leader	of	this	cooperative	tricked	us	by	having	us	weave	a	large	order	and	then	selling	the	products	in	Kigali	to	profit	for	herself.	When	she	did	not	return	to	distribute	the	profit,	other	women	in	my	cooperative	were	very	discouraged.	I	told	them	that	she	may	have	taken	our	baskets,	but	we	still	have	our	hands	and	creativity.	Those	can	never	be	taken	from	us.	Since	I	was	the	one	to	encourage	and	uplift	the	women,	they	selected	me	to	lead	the	cooperative.	Now,	I	make	sure	that	only	experienced,	creative,	honest	weavers	may	join.		I	am	proud	that	I	can	show	others	in	society	that,	despite	my	illness,	and	the	fact	that	I	am	single,	I	can	still	care	for	a	family.	I	am	an	example	to	many	people	because	I	fought	on	my	own	and	am	achieving	beyond	expectations.	All	Across	Africa	continues	to	give	me	these	opportunities	to	better	the	lives	of	my	children.	I	am	saving	up	so	that	I	can	afford	to	pay	for	a	wedding	for	my	youngest	daughter,	who	is	engaged.	A	mother’s	greatest	wish	is	to	one	day	leave	her	children	in	a	better	place.							 				 		Mukanderanya	Clarisse		39,	Rwanda,	Weaver,	Not	Married,	Pregnant,	Ihangare	Ruli		 My	name	is	Clarisse,	I	am	thirty-nine	years	old,	and	I	am	a	weaver	for	All	Across	Africa.	Life	before	weaving	was	very	tough	because	my	family	had	very	little	money.	My	father	got	sick	and	passed	away	when	I	was	still	young,	leaving	me	with	four	older	sisters	and	a	mother,	who	now	suffers	from	a	mental	disability.	All	of	my	siblings	left	for	work	or	got	married,	so	I	was	left	alone	to	care	for	my	mother.	My	mother	is	82	years	old	and	cannot	do	anything	on	her	own.	I	knew	I	had	to	find	a	way	to	make	money,	so	I	started	learning	different	skills,	like	painting	clothes.	The	people	in	my	choir	group	saw	how	hard	working	I	am	and	knew	I	had	a	sick	mother	to	care	for,	so	they	taught	me	to	weave	and	helped	me	join	a	cooperative.	Once	I	started	getting	orders,	I	was	so	relieved	because	I	knew	I	would	never	have	to	beg	for	money.	Joining	the	cooperative	came	at	a	very	important	time	in	my	life	because	I	am	now	pregnant,	without	a	husband.	Soon	I	will	be	a	single	mother	who	needs	to	care	for	my	own	mother	and	a	new	born.	Luckily,	I	have	great	relationships	with	people	and	find	it	easy	to	relate	with	the	other	weavers.	Having	the	support	system	of	the	cooperative	and	the	other	weavers,	who	can	help	me	care	for	my	family,	keeps	me	at	peace.	I	have	already	started	saving	money	for	my	child’s	health	insurance	and	school	fees.	I	bought	a	plot	of	land	with	the	money	from	All	Across	Africa,	where	I	planted	coffee.	By	the	time	my	baby	is	born,	I	can	harvest	and	sell	the	coffee	for	a	good	amount	of	money.	Everything	I	do	now	is	in	preparation	for	my	baby’s	life.	We	all	are	striving	for	better	futures	and	have	seen	how	weaving	can	promise	a	more	developed	life.								 		Karurangwa	Vestine		37,	Vice	Cooperative	Leader,	Married,	3	kids,	KODUKORU	Cooperaive		 I	have	been	weaving	with	All	Across	Africa	for	four	years	now,	and	it	has	allowed	me	to	take	care	of	my	family	and	start	planning	for	the	future.	As	a	child,	I	was	very	intelligent	and	loved	school,	but	when	my	father	died,	I	stopped	the	6th	grade	and	became	a	digger	to	provide	for	my	family.	Digging	for	a	farmer	was	an	exhausting	job,	but	at	least	it	gave	us	some	food.	I	was	only	10	years	old	at	the	time,	and	my	older	brother	had	to	guide	the	family	in	my	father’s	place.	My	father	had	been	the	only	financial	provider,	so	it	was	very	difficult	for	all	of	us,	especially	my	brother.	When	the	genocide	began,	life	got	even	harder.	One	day,	we	heard	many	loud	gunshots	outside	of	my	home.	We	were	terrified	and	decided	to	run	to	hide	to	some	bushes	where	we	thought	it	would	be	safe.	While	we	were	trying	to	escape,	they	caught	my	older	brother	and	killed	him.	That	day,	I	also	lost	friends,	neighbors,	and	relatives.	This	is	when	I	realized,	at	a	young	age,	that,	with	my	brother	gone,	I	would	have	to	learn	to	provide	for	myself	and	support	my	family.	All	I	wished	for	was	to	be	able	to	return	to	school,	but	this	wasn’t	a	possibility	for	me.	At	age	20,	I	got	married.	This	marriage	didn’t	give	me	any	more	money,	and	my	husband	and	I	we	were	poor.	At	this	time,	I	was	blessed	to	find	weaving	and	All	Across	Africa.	I	suddenly	started	earning	good	money,	and	eventually	earned	enough	to	build	a	home	with	5	rooms,	electricity,	and	water.	I	am	so	proud	of	myself	for	getting	out	of	that	bad	life.	Today,	I	am	constantly	trying	to	find	ways	to	save	and	invest	my	money	from	All	Across	Africa.	I	want	to	be	prepared	in	case	I	face	any	future	problems.	I	helped	my	husband	to	buy	more	farmland	and	am	buying	a	lot	of	chickens	with	the	goal	of	starting	my	own	poultry	business.	I	only	own	10	chickens	right	now,	but	I	hope	to	expand	that	number	to	2000	chickens.	Though	someone	may	say	that	I	am	successful,	I	am	always	aiming	higher.	I	need	to	make	sure	I	can	make	my	kids	dreams	come	true	and	let	them	know	they	can	accomplish	what	ever	they	want.	Thanks	to	All	Across	Africa,	I	have	the	skill	set	to	teach	others	how	to	improve	their	situation.	I	enjoy	sharing	my	knowledge	with	others,	especially	with	kids	who	are	not	able	to	go	to	school.								 					 					 		Kabasinga	Concilide		47,	Rwanda,	Co-Op	Leader,	7	Children,	KODUKORU	Cooperaive		 My	name	is	Concilide,	and	I	am	the	leader	of	a	cooperative	named	Kodukoru.	I	am	married	with	eight	children,	including	one	who	is	adopted.	Unlike	many	other	women	that	I	work	with,	I	did	not	grow	up	poor.	Because	of	my	father’s	different	businesses,	my	parents	were	able	to	afford	school	fees.	I	loved	going	to	school,	but,	even	though	money	wasn't	an	issue,	my	dad	didn’t	understand	why	girls	should	go	to	school.	He	believed	that	I	should	stay	in	the	home	to	learn	household	activities.	My	uncle	was	always	the	one	to	encourage	me	and	explain	to	my	father	that	education	would	give	me	more	opportunities.	When	I	was	in	6th	grade,	my	uncle	moved	away,	and	my	father	decided	to	stop	sending	me	to	school.	He	wanted	me	to	marry	at	a	young	age	so	he	could	receive	the	benefit	of	cows	and	money	in	exchange.		At	age	21,	I	got	married	to	a	successful	businessman,	but,	unfortunately,	the	genocide	changed	our	lives.	He	could	no	longer	safely	work,	and	we	were	both	without	jobs.	For	the	first	time	in	my	life,	I	was	poor.	My	husband	and	I	didn’t	understand	family	planning	at	this	time,	so	we	started	having	a	lot	of	kids,	making	it	more	difficult	to	sustain	a	decent	life.	I	was	encouraged	by	my	husband	to	start	weaving,	and	I	was	lucky	enough	to	join	a	cooperative.	The	company	accepted	the	first	few	products	I	weaved,	and	it	turned	out	I	had	great	talent	for	weaving.	Everything	in	the	home	started	to	improve	because	of	the	money	I	received	each	week.	Even	my	relationship	with	my	husband	improved.	Unfortunately,	we	discovered	my	sister	and	her	husband	were	ill	with	HIV.	When	they	both	eventually	passed	away,	I	adopted	their	youngest	daughter	in	hopes	I	could	save	her	from	a	tough	life	and	send	her	to	school.	She	has	just	completed	her	high	school	education,	which	makes	me	very	proud.	I	was	very	sad	when	my	dad	stopped	me	from	going	to	school,	but	now	he	is	so	proud	of	me	and	thinks	I	am	an	example	to	the	family.		I	didn’t	let	being	a	woman	stop	me	from	succeeding	in	life.	I	believe	that	when	you	give	a	woman	money,	she	knows	what	to	do	with	it	and	how	to	spend	it.	Women	are	responsible	and	spend	to	improve	daily	life	as	well	as	society.	We	are	good	at	communicating	and	quick	to	understand	every	situation.	This	is	why	I	am	so	grateful	for	All	Across	Africa,	because	I	see	them	giving	women	a	chance	to	succeed.							 	

All Across Africa: Artisan Profile Week 6

Harris, Christina Vincent

Santa Clara University Scholar Commons Miller Center Fellowship Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship 2017 All Across Africa: Artisan Profile Week 2 Christina Vincent Harris Haley Harada Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarcommons.scu.edu/gsbf Week	Two	Artisan	Profiles		June	26-June	30		Artisan	Profile	1:	Nyramana	Antoinette	51,	Rwanda,	Treasurer,	Weaver,	4	Children,	Itawaza	Cooperative		 Growing	up	with	10	siblings,	I	didn’t	have	much.	My	family	could	not	afford	to	pay	for	me	to	complete	school	so	they	sent	me	to	technical	school,	and	I	became	a	teacher.	After	the	genocide,	when	I	married	and	starting	having	kids,	I	could	no	longer	support	my	family’s	needs	on	a	teacher’s	salary.	I	began	weaving	because	I	realized	it	could	bring	a	lot	of	value	to	my	life.	Even	though	I	wasn’t	able	to	attend	secondary	school,	I’ve	always	had	strong	math	and	bookkeeping	skills.	These	skills,	along	with	the	trust	and	respect	of	my	fellow	weavers,	were	the	reason	I	was	elected	treasurer	of	my	cooperative.	All	Across	Africa	helps	us	learn	valuable	saving	skills	and,	as	treasurer,	it	is	my	responsibility	to	manage	the	cooperatives	finances	and	keep	track	of	the	money	we	earn.		Money	from	weaving	has	transformed	my	life	in	so	many	ways.	At	a	young	age,	I	started	having	problems	with	my	eyesight.	I	needed	money	in	order	to	see	a	doctor	and	get	glasses.	If	I	am	able	to	save	enough	money,	I	hope	to	see	a	specialist	one	day.		I	have	also	been	able	to	continue	sending	my	kids	to	school.	My	goal	is	for	them	to	finish	high	school.	I	see	the	value	in	a	good	education	and	want	to	provide	for	them	what	my	family	could	not	afford	to	provide	to	me.	I	hope	that	people	who	are	buying	goods	from	All	Across	Africa	can	see	how	their	purchase	is	truly	improving	the	daily	lives	of	many	families,	and	I	hope	the	company’s	success	continues.													 								 								 				Artisan	Profile	2:	Mukaruziga	Felicite		52,	Rwanda,	Weaver,	4	Children,	Widow,	Itawaza	Cooperative		 My	name	is	Mukaruziga	Felicite,	and	I	am	a	weaver	for	All	Across	Africa.	I	am	blessed	to	have	four	children	and	three	grandchildren,	but	I	have	experienced	many	hardships	to	get	where	I	am	today.	Twenty	years	ago,	I	lost	my	husband.	During	the	five	years	that	my	husband	was	sick,	I	would	work	during	the	day	and	weave	all	night	to	try	to	make	enough	to	afford	the	healthy	foods	and	medicine	he	needed.	After	he	passed	away,	I	was	faced	with	the	reality	of	raising	the	children	on	my	own.	This	seemed	like	an	impossible	task	at	first,	because	I	felt	like	something	was	missing	all	the	time.	When	my	children	left	for	school,	I	would	play	the	radio	to	fill	the	emptiness	I	felt	inside.	Then,	in	that	same	year,	I	was	absolutely	devastated	when	I	also	lost	one	of	my	children.	I	couldn't	believe	that	so	much	misfortune	would	come	my	way,	and	my	heart	filled	with	sorrow.	My	kids	would	always	ask	me	why	I	was	crying.	I	was	constantly	lonely	and	felt	like	I	was	the	only	person	in	the	world.		I	realized,	after	mourning	for	a	while,	that	I	couldn’t	sit	and	cry	forever.	If	I	let	my	sorrow	continue,	my	children	would	end	up	hungry	in	the	streets.	I	needed	to	standup	and	be	strong	for	my	kids.	I	took	up	weaving	again,	and	I	did	it	with	all	my	heart.	I	gave	it	everything	I	had	because	I	knew	that	my	family	needed	me	now	more	than	ever.		Weaving	is	a	big	part	of	who	I	am,	and	it	is	why	I	am	here	today.	I	can	afford	to	feed	my	kids	and	I	sent	them	to	school.	At	the	lowest	point	in	my	life,	I	couldn't	have	ever	imagined	that	I	would	one	day	become	a	grandparent.		Now,	I	am	lucky	to	see	my	children	starting	their	own	lives	and	creating	families	of	their	own.		All	Across	Africa	provided	my	family	with	security;	they	insured	my	life.	My	cooperative	helped	me	regain	my	strength	and	gave	me	friends	when	I	needed	them	the	most.	Weaving	uplifts	me	and	my	family	and	I	am	so	thankful	to	all	the	people	who	buy	our	baskets.	Each	product	I	make	comes	from	a	place	of	love	and	determination	to	live	a	fulfilled	life.	I	hope	to	continue	weaving	with	All	Across	Africa	and	watch	my	family	grow.																			 		Artisan	Profile	3:	Biziyaremye	Erneste		30,	Rwanda,	Weaver,	1	Child,	Married,	Itawaza	Cooperative		 My	name	is	Erneste,	and	I	am	one	of	the	few	men	that	work	with	All	Across	Africa.	I	started	weaving	after	I	was	involved	in	a	horrible	accident.	A	motorcycle	hit	me	as	I	was	riding	my	bicycle.	The	accident	proved	fatal	for	the	other	person	involved,	and	though	I	was	lucky	enough	to	survive,	I	could	no	longer	participate	in	heavy	work	or	labor.	The	accident	was	a	shock,	but	I	knew	I	couldn’t	sit	around	and	do	nothing	afterwards.	I	was	newly	married	at	the	time	and	needed	to	care	for	my	family.		In	the	past,	I	had	seen	how	women	in	the	community	were	making	good	money,	developing	their	homes,	and	improving	their	livelihood	as	weavers.	Although	weaving	is	seen	as	a	traditionally	female	occupation	in	Rwanda,	I	wondered	if	I	could	also	support	my	family	this	way.	I	explained	my	troubles	to	my	neighbor,	who	was	a	cooperative	leader,	and	she	took	me	in,	teaching	me	all	the	skills	necessary	to	weave.	At	first,	I	wasn’t	sure	that	I	would	fit	in	as	one	of	only	two	males	in	the	cooperative,	but	the	women	were	so	welcoming,	caring,	and	encouraging.	They	taught	me	everything	I	needed	to	know.	It	is	difficult	because	sometimes	society	doesn’t	understand	or	accept	what	I	do.	Many	Rwandans	believe	that	weaving	is	only	for	women,	but	I	don’t	let	it	bother	me,	because	I	can	see	a	better	future	in	front	of	me.	I	am	doing	what	I	love	and	actively	working	to	support	my	wife	and	child.	We	are	fortunate	to	have	lots	of	food,	a	nice	house,	and	I	am	starting	to	save	for	my	child’s	education.	None	of	this	would	be	possible	without	my	cooperative	and	All	Across	Africa.	What	happened	to	me	was	unfortunate	but	I	have	been	able	to	overcome	so	many	struggles	and	I	hope	to	continue	to	do	so.	I	genuinely	believe	in	the	power	of	hope.	With	hope,	anything	is	possible.			(Pictured	below	with	co-op	leader)													 								 		Artisan	Profile	#4:	Mpayishaka	Lawrence		Weaver,	Age	40,	5	Children,	Married,	Cooperative	Indatwa	Agaseke		 During	my	childhood,	my	family	was	very	poor	and	couldn’t	pay	for	many	things,	including	my	school	fees.	When	I	could	no	longer	attend	school	because	of	the	lack	of	money,	so	I	started	weaving	for	fun.	During	the	genocide,	I	was	displaced	from	my	home	and	forced	to	escape	to	a	refugee	camp.	My	family	was	left	with	even	less	than	we	had	before,	and	I	saw	marriage	as	an	opportunity	to	protect	myself	and	create	a	better	future.	In	the	refugee	camp,	I	met	my	current	husband,	and	we	married	when	I	was	only	eighteen.	It	was	a	very	difficult	time,	because,	at	eighteen,	I	had	to	face	the	responsibilities	of	a	wife	and	adult.	I	was	able	to	use	my	knowledge	of	weaving	to	create	a	life	for	my	husband,	five	kids,	and	myself.	The	income	is	going	to	help	me	put	my	kids	through	school,	something	I	wish	I	could	have	finished.	I	want	them	to	grow	up	having	the	ability	to	be	self-sufficient.	I	am	also	so	proud	of	how	I	was	able	to	work	to	build	a	home.	Now	I	have	a	house	of	my	own,	a	place	where	I	belong,	and	where	people	can	find	me.	I	am	so	happy	to	be	a	part	of	All	Across	Africa	and	my	cooperative;	they	give	me	so	much	support.	Every	time	I	face	an	obstacle	I	overcome	it	by	finding	a	sense	of	inner	peace	and	calmness.	Thank	you	to	All	Across	Africa,	other	weavers,	and	customers	who	buy	our	goods	for	helping	me	to	be	at	peace	and	move	forward	in	life.										 		Artisan	Profile	#5:	Uwiziyimana	Seraphine		Age	44,	4	Children,	Weaver,	Single	Mom,	Cooperative	Indatwa	Agaseke		 My	name	is	Seraphine,	and	I	am	a	weaver	for	All	Across	Africa.	I	would	describe	myself	as	hard	working	and	determined.	Unfortunately,	as	a	kid,	I	wasn’t	able	to	continue	my	schooling	and	had	to	stop	after	6th	grade.	With	my	extra	time,	I	started	to	learn	how	to	weave	and	eventually	turned	this	into	my	career.	While	other	girls	who	dropped	out	of	school	turned	to	prostitution	and	begging,	I	continued	to	work	and	make	a	living	for	myself.	I	got	married	at	a	very	young	age,	and	by	the	time	I	was	twenty-one	and	could	make	it	legal,	I	discovered	my	husband	was	cheating	on	me.	I	decided	to	leave	him	with	our	two	kids	and	remarried.		Today,	I	am	a	single	mother	with	four	children,	which	means	I	face	many	difficulties.	One	of	my	daughters	gave	birth	to	a	baby	at	a	very	young	age,	just	like	I	did,	which	is	financially	difficult	for	our	family.	She	is	also	a	single	mother,	and	I	see	her	facing	some	of	the	same	struggles	that	I	faced	when	I	was	in	a	similar	situation.	I	want	to	continue	weaving	and	selling	baskets	so	I	can	help	my	daughter	give	her	daughter	a	better	life.	I	want	my	children	and	grandchildren	to	live	a	life	of	value	and	will	continue	working	hard	to	ensure	a	better	future	for	our	family.			(pictured	below	with	youngest	daughter	and	granddaughter)																					 		Artisan	Profile	#6:	Mukarunyange	Belthilda		44,	Rwanda,	Co-op	leader,	married,	4	children,	Itawaza	Cooperative										 		Artisan	Profile	#7:	Mukandamajye	Seraphine		44,	Rwanda,	Co-op	leader,	4	children,	Cooperative	Indatwa	Agaseke								 					 			Artisan	Profile	#8:	Mukeshimana	Solange		28,	Rwanda,	weaver,	married,	1	child,	Cooperative	Indatwa	Agaseke															 	

All Across Africa: Artisan Profile Week 2

https://scholarcommons.scu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1084&context=gsbf

All Across Africa: Artisan Profile Week 6

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