While pregnant with her first child, Naomie Uwineza was looking around for a cradle (a baby’s bed or cot) when, to her surprise, she realised that not a single shop she had visited seemed to have options that were long lasting or suited her preference. “I was looking for something which is simple yet durable, all I could see were plastic products with low quality and extremely expensive. This is the moment it hit me that there was an opportunity to bring to the market locally-made products which are affordable and durable,” she said. Uwineza makes different kinds of locally made products from banana leaves, bamboo and palm leaves. Since she had no knowledge of weaving whatsoever yet she wanted to do so, she resorted to looking for an expert to teach her how it’s being done. Uweneza’s products range from Rwf 5000 to 100,000 depending on the size and the quantity. “After giving birth, I looked for someone who can make the products using locally available material since I was curious and eager to bring my new products to the market, it didn’t take me much time to learn the concept, and within a few months, I was good to go,” she added. When starting out, the 28-year-old said she wasn’t sure if people would like her idea and the products in general, and for these reasons, she started with making them for her home use. When she shared with a few friends and other people about what she does, she was surprised that many liked what they were seeing and encouraged her to do more. In 2016, Uwineza started making baby coats, chairs, wall decorations, lampshades, tables among other products. In 2016, Uwineza started making baby coats, chairs, wall decorations, lampshades, tables among other products. She uses banana leaves, bamboo, and palm leaves. All these raw materials are locally sourced. Besides, with time she also started making bed covers and table mats using African print. “Of course my main target was to do baby coats, but as I started, this couldn’t limit me from trying out other products because I had acquired the skills already. For me, I was trying to solve the problem of scarcity of quality cradles in our local markets, but this also gave me an opportunity to learn how to bring other different products which I came to discover were as well missing from the market,” she explained. Uwineza, who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Information and Technology, narrated that through weaving, the most important aspect she has gotten is peace of mind. Adding that, she considers it as her meditation time whenever she feels stressed out, she thinks of a new idea and product to make. Uwineza sells her products online and she makes the products once orders have been placed with payment made on delivery. “I do this because I want to create that trust among my customers. I believe that once you have put your effort and time into something, the results won’t disappoint,” she said. Uwineza also pointed out that for one to make it, especially young people, they shouldn’t look down on some jobs, grabbing any opportunity as it comes is the way to go because this will expose you to other bigger deals in life. “Most young women still think the weaving jobs are just for old people or rather not presentable and not well paying,” she noted. Meanwhile, her future plan is to grow her business locally and internationally. She aspires to make a remarkable brand with the aim of helping the young generation with jobs and opportunities. She cited that heavy rain periods are huge setbacks on her business because it hinders the whole process of getting the raw material. Uweneza’s products range from Rwf 5000 to 100,000 depending on the size and the quantity.
