"We very much value Indego Africa's efforts to supply us with skills to prepare us better for our futures. We have many more opportunities to improve our lives, and perhaps more importantly, a new desire to do so because we now have more hope and faith in ourselves." - Clauoline, 48

AN INTRODUCTION TO TWIYUBAKE

Twiyubake is a banana leaf weaving cooperative of 30 talented artisans. Consisting of genocide widows working side-by-side with the wives of imprisoned génocidaires who killed their families, Twiyubake's composition fosters unity and reconciliation through economic community.

WHY BUSINESS MANAGEMENT & ENTREPRENEURSHIP?

There are two measurable effects of the BM&E Training program.  First, education leads to increased income for the women and the cooperative. More importantly, education has a truly positive impact on partner artisan's confidence and quality of life. 

"Indego Africa taught me how to manage my money and save for the future.  It is by using these skills - even more than the increased income I receive - that I can pay school fees for two of my children and take care of household expenses." - Saverin, 65

A DONATION TO TWIYUBAKE'S BM&E TRAINING IS AN INVESTMENT IN THEIR FUTURE.

Twiyubake has made astounding progress in the last year:

• By 2011, the number of women with money management skills had more than doubled since 2010.
• In 2011, 20% more women had a bank account than in 2010.
• By 2011, 46% of the women reported being "very satisfied" with their health and well-being in the workplace, as opposed to none of the women in 2010.  
• 65% of women in Twiyubake could read in 2011, compared to 50% in 2010.
• 62% of women in Twiyubake say they never run out of food, compared just 27% in 2010.

"Using the income that I acquired through orders placed by Indego Africa, I was able to obtain health insurance and get treatment for my trauma... I also came out of the loneliness that was one of the causes of my trauma.  I am especially thankful to have been taught accounting and English because these skills are very helpful to our business." - Salphine, 27.

TWIYUBAKE AS ARTISANS:

Twiyubake makes beautiful, handwoven banana leaf jewelry and accessories. All the profits from the sale of Twiyubake and Indego Africa's other cooperative partners' products are reinvested into training programs.