On a sunlit Friday afternoon, we reached Nyamirambo Women’s Center, a vibrant shopping hub showcasing a variety of Rwandan mementos. The assortment included Kitenge fabrics and handcrafted goods like children’s apparel, women’s accessories, and artisanal home decor crafted by the Umutima Cooperative.

The atmosphere buzzed with activity as customers navigated the shop, marveling at the products and choosing their favorites. It was evident that some patrons, possibly tourists, hailed from Europe, the US, or Germany.

Among them was Cohen Anshel from Germany, who was captivated by the designs. He purchased items such as wallets, table wipes, and oven gloves to present as gifts to his family and friends back in Germany.

Having visited the center for the first time, Anshel found himself captivated by the center’s commitment to supporting women and combating gender-based violence.

He eagerly anticipated sharing the center’s impactful initiatives with his friends and family. “Witnessing women create these products in person is truly remarkable,” he remarked.

The Nyamirambo Women’s Center has garnered attention not only within Rwanda but also from individuals beyond its borders. Notable figures like Whitney Alford, Kendrick Lamar’s partner, have purchased items from the center.

Among the distinguished visitors are diplomats such as Ambassador Einat Weiss, the Israeli envoy in Rwanda, her predecessor Ambassador Ron Adam, Ambassador Antoine Anfré, France’s envoy in Rwanda, Omar Daair, the British High Commissioner to Rwanda, and Johanna Teague, the Swedish Ambassador to Rwanda.

Former Miss France Sonia Rolland, Usta Kaitesi, the Chief Executive Officer of Rwanda Governance Board (RGB), Kersti Kaljulaid, former president of Estonia, Masai Ujiri, founder of the Giants of Africa, and others were spotted shopping at the center.

Managed by Marie Aimee Umugeni, the center, established in 2007 by a group of 18 women, has expanded its scope over the years to provide support for women. Originating from the collaboration of single mothers, the non-profit organization aimed to empower each other by acquiring income-generating skills, enabling them to cover their children’s school fees and healthcare.

From its initial founding, the center has evolved to offer various services to local women, including free reading and writing classes, as well as training in handicrafts, hairdressing, and tailoring. Umugeni highlighted, “We provide training in sewing and hair braiding, opening up job opportunities for them. Over the past 15 years, the center has successfully trained more than 6,000 women and generated over 200 jobs.”

She observed that the center attracts numerous individuals who purchase their products, providing women with the means to continue their sewing endeavors. At the conclusion of each month, these women receive compensation, contributing to the sustainability of the center.

The Nyamirambo Women’s Center has played a significant role in major events hosted by Rwanda. She highlighted the Women Deliver conference in July, a prominent gathering on gender equality, where the women had the opportunity to create 8,000 conference bags. According to her, participants from such conferences provide substantial support, sometimes purchasing all the items in their shop, prompting the women to produce even more.

The center played a pivotal role in the Move Afrika event by crafting all the lampshades used at BK Arena during Kendrick Lamar’s performance. This exposure has garnered recognition, with attendees of the Global Citizen event acknowledging the center, especially since many purchased souvenirs from them.

Furthermore, she mentioned that entities like the Rwanda Convention Bureau and event managers consistently approach the women’s center with offers to produce various items for conferences and events. This collaboration has not only benefited the center but has also had a positive impact on local businesses. Umugeni expressed the center’s desire to train more women, aiming to address gender disparities in professions where certain roles, such as tourist guides and drivers, are predominantly held by men.

For this purpose, the center envisions establishing a training facility where women can acquire a range of skills, including those related to fashion, tourism guidance, woodwork, and more.

Myriam Umutesi, a mother with one child, is one of the beneficiaries of this initiative. Initially, she began by acquiring computer skills and learning tailoring, eventually leading to her employment.

Now, with her income, she can comfortably cover expenses such as rent and her daughter’s education. Before joining the center, Umutesi worked as a waitress at a local hotel but struggled to meet her basic needs.