In the heart of Kinigi, nestled near the breath taking Volcanoes National Park, the home of the mountain Gorillas, local women are turning their creativity and traditional skills into circular economy actions to enhance economic opportunities and to support Gorilla conservation, by creating new alternative livelihood options to relying on natural resources from the gorilla habitat. Action’s (GGRAA) ongoing efforts, we are empowering women to harness their hand crafting talents and transform them into thriving and reusable products that improve grassroots green businesses and community resilience. The women in Kinigi create exquisite products using local materials while integrating the rich cultural heritage of the region of multiple uses of baskets. Their handmade crafts mostly range from woven baskets and mats, bead work, crocheting and tailoring. Those small projects integrate rural women in the process of becoming financially self-sustaining women.

Different Products

By equipping women with training in business management and market linkage, GGRAA ensures that their talent becomes a sustainable source of income. These activities promote a unique synergy between conservation and community development.

This approach also engages them in social activities that improve their mental health to face different challenges including gender-based violence (GBV). This initiative enables women to supply products in their respective communities to enhance green solutions from the grassroots. These women benefit from the thriving tourism industry, they also become advocates for the preservation of the natural treasures surrounding them, including the endangered mountain gorillas.