Volunteering at NWC

Some do it to gain experience, some do it to meet new people, some do it because they simply want to help…in the end it does not really matter why people volunteer, but the impact that they make.

Even though NWC is providing a fair payment for all the locals working in NWC, the work of volunteers is nevertheless an essential component of their work and especially development.

I came to NWC in February, because I wanted to put my time to good use. Volunteering abroad while struggling to find a job at home seemed like a good opportunity for my professional and personal development. And I sure was right!

Having spent two months in Kigali, I believe that this was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I was responsible for the planning and supervision of the work in the library, but as is the case in all small projects, I ended up helping with all the activities, where they needed my help. And despite the fact that I was here to help the Center, I at the same time learned so much about the people, their everyday life and also the work of a community based project. Even though I had worked in multicultural environments before, my experience in NWC really gave me a chance to see the cultural differences first hand. I learned to admire the African ease at work, not stressing about the pressing deadlines, and just smile while they go on with their everyday activities. On the other hand I sometimes felt like a cranky European pushing them around, despite my nervousness would not speed up their process at all. But by now I just smile and relax as well …and you know what? In the end everything really works out just fineJ.

My time in Kigali is now coming to an end, but NWC is always happy to welcome new volunteers, locals and expats, living in Kigali, who are willing to dedicate some of their time to the successful work and development of Nyamirambo Women’s Center. 

 Monica, Eva and Drew planning the tour guide training (Gertrude is missing in the picture)

 Monica is the leader of Umutima project

I was responsible for the planning and supervision of the work in the library

Ladies behind the name “Umutima” - Part II

Two weeks ago we started with presenting the ladies who are making the beautiful Umutima products and today we continue with the next two stories. 


BYUKUSENGE FRANCINE

Francine’s delicate features and strong cheekbones frame her confident voice as she proudly states that each of her eight children attend school regularly. Although she never finished public school she did receive technical training: learning to cook, sew and care for children.

Francine came to the Nyamirambo Women’s Center to teach sewing. But it wasn’t long before she discovered that she too had many things to learn. The Women’s Center has changed her life forever. The money she earns in combination with her husband’s income allows her family to make ends meet.

She loves the exposure to the European style of clothing she is learning to sew, especially the children’s skirts and pants. She believes that the high quality of products the Women’s Center produce will allow them to be a success in the marketplace. 

UMUTESI MIRIAM

Walking along the road six years ago, Miriam now 28 years old, was struck by a moto. She was left with a broken leg and a traumatic head injury. Three months in the hospital and another three months healing at home used all the money Miriam had managed to save. The accident has left Miriam with a permanent damage to her left eye. 

Miriam lost her parents to the Genocide. But during the difficult times, her older sister provided limited assistance. Her community recommended that she search a way to care for herself and her four year old daughter.

Miriam has been with the NWC for five months now. She has learned to sew and is committed to continuing to learn and develop her skills. Miriam speaks confidently and states: “My story was bad but I have found a new family here at Nyamirambo Women’s Center. I can come here and be happy and strong.”

Nyamirambo is the place to be!

One of the core activities in NWC is community based tourism. Having in mind that Nyamirambo is known as the most vibrant and authentic part of Kigali, it seems like a perfect fit. The ladies from the Center have been doing the tour in English and French since 2009 and so far more than 280 people have visited Nyamirambo under their guidance.

The tour starts in Nyamirambo Women’s center, where the guide presents the work of the Center and teaches you some basic Kinyarwanda to help you interact with the locals that you will meet along the tour. Remembering Muraho, Murakoze and Muzungu is a must! J

Then you walk to the Biryogo market, which is just across the street of the Center. There you can see the local vegetables and fruit stands, you can learn the process of drying cassava and participate with the ladies making isombe (cassava leaves mixed with onions, green pepper, garlic and sometimes spinach). In addition you can see local Muslim embroidery or carpet weaving as well as the local cooking stoves and some fabulous African fabrics.

After the market you walk on, passing the mosque (yes, Nyamirambo is a Muslim area of Kigali) and visiting a hairdresser salon and a tailor store. The walk is not long, but filled with interesting stories of people who live here, which gives you a good impression of how everyday life of local people looks like.

To put the cherry on the top, you can end your visit with a lunch at one of the ladies from the Center. Let’s just say that no one has ever left Aminatha’s place hungry. Moreover, it’s also a good way to try local food such as bananas, sweet potatoes, cassava, posho and beans.

In 2014 Eva joined the team to compliment the local experience with professional knowledge. In the near future the Center will therefore start with official trainings for the guides, which will make their performance even better. Also the Center is planning to incorporate further community walking tours into their portfolio, such as a handicraft tour or a culinary tour; so stay tuned!

And if we return to community based tourism that we mentioned at the beginning – all the locals that we visit along our tour get some compensation, so with your visit you will not be supporting just NWC but a wider community.

You can always arrange your visit per telephone (+250 782 111 860 and +250 785 002 302) or email (nwcoffice.kigali@gmail.com).  

We are looking forward to meet you!

Ladies behind the name “Umutima”

After our last blog, you might be wondering who are these ladies whose products you want to have. We thought you would! J

That is why we decided to present them to you with short stories of their lives and their view of NWC.

The stories are the result of interviews that were conducted by Jody Nathan with the help of her translator Henry Bizabityo.

MUKAMUGUNGA EUGENIE

During our interview Eugenie’s young son stops on his way home from school to visit. His book bag is bulging, heavy with books. Eugenie first came to the Women’s Center to learn English.

After the Genocide in 1994 she and her sister were living in an orphanage. Some European workers wanted to offer her a job, but because she did not speak English they were unable to hire her. It crushed her heart. She vowed to never miss another chance.

Eugenie, now 44 years old, is the sole provider for her family. Her husband is permanently traumatized from the events of the Genocide and is unable to work. The money she earns at the Women’s Center provides enough for her family’s needs. They have no housing expenses because they live in a family member’s home. Eugenie dreams of one day living in their own home. 

She hopes to continue working with the Center and one day teach others to read and write. She wants to pass along the knowledge so other women can help themselves. She believes this can be accomplished by “working hard and working together.”

MUSABYINGABIRE EPIPHANIE

Epiphanie found the Women’s Center through a friend. She was excited to hear about the literacy, sewing and computer classes that the Center was offering. Epiphanie worked at home. Her husband is a businessman and their four children attend school. Epiphanie approached the possibility of becoming involved in the Women’s Center with her husband and in 2011, she did just that!

Now in 2014 she teaches the Kinyarwanda Literacy classes for the Center. Illiteracy in the native Kinyarwanda language is just one of the many challenges here in Rwanda. Epiphanie knows all too well the isolation that Rwandese women can feel and hopes to one day develop and participate in a community outreach program that could lead more women and even men to develop skills that could help improve their lives.

UMUTIMA – the brand that you should remember

It is amazing how much can be made in a short period of time. I am talking about the sewing project in NWC, which only started in October, but it now feels that it has been here forever.

The master chef behind the project is Monica, who has a vision of creating unique and quality products, which set them apart from the rest.

They started off with producing simple things, for example blankets, table runners, napkins and pillow cases, but with time the ladies working here became better and better, so the production expanded quickly to producing bags and even clothes for children. In the future they would also like to start making clothes for adults. The ideas for the products are the work of San, who helps Monica to run the whole project.

It is important to emphasize that even the so called simple products have a special touch, because the fabric is always precisely chosen and also hand stitched. Knowing how much effort is put in the work, the brand name is actually no surprise – umutima means heart in Kinyarwanda.

Here I would also like to highlight that all the ladies working in the center are paid fairly for their work right after the product is finished (and not when it is sold), which results in their happiness when coming to work.

Lastly, you are always welcome to come to the center and check out our latest products. And for those far away we are posting some pictures, which will convince you that Rwanda should be your next travel destination! J

Monica is the leader of the project “Umutima”

NWC Library is officially open!

Claire finished her last post with the quote from Albert Einstein: “The only thing you absolutely have to know, is the location of the library.” and we are proud to say that from this week on, you can find a library also in our centre.

For now we offer more than 500 books in Kinyarwanda, English and French, but we hope to have even more in the near future. We divided them in four categories – adults, teenagers, children and young children. The membership in the library is free, but we do charge a deposit if you want to borrow a book (which of course you get back, once you return the book).

Moreover, during our working hours (Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 13.00-17.00; Saturday: 9.00-12.00; Umuganda: 14.00-17.00) we will also read stories for the children and do crafts with them in order for the stories to become alive.

We hope to see you soon in our library!

Preparing the Library

One of my main jobs while I've been at NWC has been to buy books for the community library that will open in January.

I love buying books, so this was hardly work for me. But it was a surprisingly difficult task. Me and Marie Aimee went to different publishers, often multiple times, and found new book shops, trying to track down the best range of fiction we could find in Kinyarwanda, English and French, for those with low levels of literacy, to more advanced readers.

As the library grows the center will be able to adapt the selection of books to what people like to read. But for now, I enjoyed carrying boxes of new shiny books, staking up piles as I walked around the store and seeing some of the books I read as a child with new covers and pictures ready to enthrall another generation.

“The only thing that you absolutely have to know, is the location of the library.” 
― Albert Einstein