Baskets.

There is a basket making factory here who makes thousands upon thousands of baskets for Macy's. They are actually called Baskets of Hope. You can read more about them in the NY Times Article: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/11/garden/11rwanda.html?_r=4&oref=slogin&oref=slogin&oref=slogin&oref=slogin
You can also check them out at Macy's website: http://www1.macys.com/campaign/rwanda/index.jsp



Anyways, so a group of us went today to see the women and buy baskets. I have read a few articles about the project, but never fully understood the process until today.



When I walked into the room, I was blown away by how many women were there working. I mean, I guess it should not have shocked me considering Macy's has the women making about 500,000 baskets a year and each basket takes between 1 week to 4 weeks to make!



Yet, still I was shocked to see so many women just sitting in a room, on a floor, just weaving baskets. They seemed to be really enjoying themselves too. When we walked in they all had big smiles on their faces and gave us a big wave.



I also noticed as I walked through MANY of the women were paraplegic. There were crutches laying everywhere. It could bring tears to your eyes thinking about all the women who would not be able to find jobs anywhere else because of their disability.



How beautiful it is that these women can, despite their disabilities, sit on the floor with other women and make just enough money for them to support themselves and their families.



There are certain parts of Rwanda that have taken some time to warm up to, to get use to. There are many cultural differences and some racial stereotypes that are hard to fully embrace. Yet, today encountering those women, seeing their smiling faces, and feeling their warmth is definitely something I want to continue to get use to.




These women were so beautiful to me today and literally all they did was sit there in their element and be themselves. I love Rwandan people and specifically women here for that very reason.