Women co-op launches Rwf 60m ice cream project

HUYE - Ingoma Nshya, a cooperative of women drummers, in partnership with Blue Marble Ice Cream-USA, over the weekend inaugurated an ice cream business venture that is aimed at promoting members of the cooperative. The ice cream business was made possible through support from Alexis Miesen; owner of Blue Marble Ice cream, her business partner Jennie Dundas and donations from friends in the USA. “Through a non governmental organisation; Blue Marble Dreams, we were able to raise money to support the women’s project. We also received a donation of an ice cream machine from another American company,” said Miesen. “We are training the women so that they will be able to run the business on their own in future,” she added.Odile Gakire, the deputy director in charge of artistic activities at the University Centre for Arts and Drama of the National University of Rwanda, and founder of Ingoma Nshya (new drums), said the project is aimed at promoting women. “Ingoma Nshya is the first ever association of women drummers in the country, we engage them because they are the ones who mostly have time, they can take up playing drums as a profession,” she said. “We are happy to be involved in income-generating activities and serving the community with our products,” Pélagie Kayirebwa, the president of the cooperative said.The association which was started in 2004 has 127 members. The project, when complete, is expected to cost about US $100,000, according to Miesen. Ends