Partner Spotlight: Young Women’s Destination, Gisenyi

Young Women’s Destination - Gisenyi

Made in Rwanda

Based in

Gisenyi, Rwanda

Number of artisans

Each year, we support a maximum of 50 women.

What does art mean to us?

Creating ART gives them the discipline to work together. You can’t create a community without thinking about others. Being selfish makes it impossible to build a community.

What does empowerment mean to us?

Empowerment enables young mothers to change their lives through art and unleash their hidden talents. To empower is to shift a woman from being a victim to a champion. Through our work, we provide them with the tools to uncover their talents. By nurturing these skills, we can share their art with both national and international markets.

What does transparency mean to us?

Transparency is all about the women trusting others and, most importantly, themselves.

Julienne (Young Women Destination)

Julienne started Young Women’s Destination because she was also a victim of domestic violence. In her community, she saw many women who were deserted, who weren’t capable of continuing school and who had children at a very young age. Julienne wanted to create a space for these women in her community, by building her own. ‘Destination’ refers to their vision, the brighter future they aim to follow and help them become independent by earning a living for themselves. Julienne believes in the power of collective weaving as it gives the artisans a space to express themselves- it’s a space for them to share their experiences and talk about their problems.