The community of potters in Cyaruzinge is a historically marginalized population that faces poverty and severe food shortages in Rwanda. To promote economic development in this community, HDI will construct a workshop to provide 30 female artisans with a space to safely create and store their unique products.
HDI works with the community of potters in Cyaruzinge where stigmatization prevents people from finding employment and supporting their families. HDI has worked with a female artisan cooperative for 4 years to promote economic growth through small business development for women. The women are experienced artisans; however, they face challenges finding clean areas to meet and store their products, which in turn reduces the quality of their goods and profitability of their business.
This project will provide the female artisans in Cyaruzinge with a workshop that will allow them to safely create, store, and sell their products. HDI will also use this site for future trainings to develop the women's craftsmanship and business skills. Overall, this workshop will improve the quality of the women's products and the professionalism of their business.
As a result of this project, Cyaruzinge women will be empowered with a small business that can support their families, which will contribute to the economic development of the entire community. HDI hopes to use this project as a model for similar communities across Rwanda to ensure that marginalized groups like the community of potters are empowered to be agents in the development of their communities.
