Umutima Cooperative

Umutima Cooperative Umutima Cooperative is located in NWC's office (Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8.30-17, Sat 9-17). Our products are made with love from Umutima in Kigali, Rwanda.

Umutima products can be found in the Cooperative shop, as well as in: Akeza shop Kigali, Ubumwe House KN 5 Ave and Kigali Cultural Village, KK 31 Ave. We make women’s accessories, kid’s clothing & toys, and home décor items. Our story begins when 18 women in the oldest neighborhood in Kigali formed Nyamirambo Women’s Center, an NGO dedicated to educating, empowering, and employing women. With grea

ter independence and financial health as core objectives, the programs include literacy, trainings on gender inequality and gender-based violence, sewing, and computer skills. For a string of years, NWC was funded by a few much appreciated donors. The free classes were well attended, and seeds of confidence were taking root in the community, but the money was inconsistent, and they hadn’t figured out a path to offer employment. Then Marie Aimee Umugeni, NWC’s President, met Monica Tabet, a Swiss-Italian who had worked a decade in developing countries, and they had an idea: employ the women who had learned to sew in a cooperative, creating inspired products that live beautifully on every continent, and a self-sustaining means to fund NWC. Umutima, ‘heart’ in Kinyarwanda, was born just in time for a holiday bazaar! Our kitenge fabric, a staple in East Africa, is 100% cotton and washable, with joyful colors and prints as its hallmark. We source the best quality and unique patterns. Now 50+ sewers strong and working alongside the shop, Umutima designs simple shapes, refining our finishing, and repeating what works. In addition, Umutima hosts NWC's community tours — discovery walks in Nyamirambo, and traditional cooking and basket weaving classes that personalize Rwandan culture. Our circular model is complete: Umutima and NWC sustain each other. Monica’s 11 year old daughter Gemma says it best: Every time I ask my mom who owns Umutima, I get the same answer. Nobody does. All the women share it and love it. Umutima means heart. I think that is the right word to describe it. The only word.

10% off on all products Shop Kigali
14/10/2021

10% off on all products Shop Kigali

10% off on all products in the store @ Akeza Shop Kigali
14/10/2021

10% off on all products in the store @ Akeza Shop Kigali

Banana bag available in the shop now.
24/08/2021

Banana bag available in the shop now.

30/07/2021

Coming up🚨: Join us on 31st july as we discuss challenges faced by Community Based Tourism during covid-19.

We appreciate your partnership and presence

🇷🇼

Women empower women 💪🏿
29/04/2021

Women empower women 💪🏿

Lifestyle Local NGO on driving prosperity of women By Joan Mbabazi Published : April 29, 2021 | Updated : April 29, 2021 Twitter Facebook Email Whatsapp linkedin More Share this article Twitter Facebook Email Whatsapp linkedin Twitter Facebook Email Whatsapp linkedin Unemployment is one of the chall...

26/02/2021
Our baby line is designed for newborns up to 1 year.
17/12/2020

Our baby line is designed for newborns up to 1 year.

Woven products made by caring Rwandan hands
30/11/2020

Woven products made by caring Rwandan hands

Sisal baskets made by caring hands
30/11/2020

Sisal baskets made by caring hands

Address

KN7 (corner With KN132St)
Kigali

Opening Hours

Monday 08:30 - 17:00
Tuesday 08:30 - 17:00
Wednesday 08:30 - 17:00
Thursday 08:30 - 17:00
Friday 08:30 - 17:00
Saturday 09:00 - 17:00

Telephone

250782111860

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Umutima Cooperative posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Umutima Cooperative:

Shortcuts

Share