Azizi Life

One of our favorite stops during our visit to Rwanda was to visit with the women artisans that are working with Food For the Hungry in their Azizi Life program. Christine and Tom at the FFH office open their doors every Thursday for artisans to bring in their work. Azizi Life helps with product development, quality control and placement of goods in the market. Many of the goods sold are made from banana leaves since they are plentiful (a banana tree goes through one life cycle in one season, so the trees are all burned after the bananas are harvested). The women have learned to make beautiful purses, bags, stationary and stationary gift-set holders among many other things. I just got a trial pair of banana leaf flip- flops while visiting the FFH offices in Phoenix! I will have to wear them around the house since Fall has fully arrived here in Minnesota.

At the FFH office we shopped for baskets, purses, figurines, and other gifts to bring home. Finding markets for the goods is definitely one of the biggest challenges for Azizi Life. They are working on a website that will enable them to reach US b uyers more readily, and I will post that when it is up and running!

Artisan House

When we went to meet with the artisans, we gathered at a house where the y meet to do their work. Of course there was a crowd gathered (there is always a crowd gathered!), and Women sat on a bench all along the front of the house piecing sleeves on sweaters. The group in Gisanga borrows a weaving machine from another community and weaves all of the pieces o f the sweaters, then the pieces are attached by hand.

We all crowded into the front room of the house to hear about this particular women's association from community leaders. At the end of the speeches and weaving demonstrations, Troy and I were given a sweate, hat and washcloth from a young mother. I was told later that this gift was equivalent to a couple of weeks wages.

Out front of the artisans house.

We wanted to buy some of the goods that they had used in demonstration, and asked Christine if there would be a more private moment to conduct business. She told us that there are no private moments in Rwanda : )! Of course it is nothing to us to buy a basket for $2, or $5, and in fact we wanted to pay more for them, but as soon as the dollars came out of our pockets, there was a tangible tension in the room. It changed the dynamics of the whole situation in an instant. I could see that paying a huge sum for a basket would not benefit anyone, and would only cause trouble. It was one small reminder of how complicated things can get with money. I saw on this trip like I have never seen before how money alone cannot address a problem. Money is still sorely needed, and is often short, but alone it falls very short. It is fellowship, consistent presence and hands- on help that is SO invaluable. The Rwandan and ex-pats that work for FFH are so committed to helping their communities in this way, and it is inspiring. I want to look for more opportunities to do this at home. Writing a check is important, but so is mentorship and consistent relationship and leadership.

Sara and a very generous artisan from Azizi Life.

Sara folds a beautiful handmade sweater.

Troy and Sara with a shopping bag full of handmade goods.

Kirby and his new Rwandan handmade skull cap. Not another one like it Minnesota!

Sara with Christine and Tom, the FH Azizi life coordinators.