Rwanda - Training craftsmen to keep their trade alive

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At Nyabimata, in southern Rwanda, 21 carpenters and blacksmiths took part in a 6-day training session last October, on the management of their workshops. The training session was set up by Duhamic-Adri, a partner of Frères des Hommes, to help craftsmen respond to the particular pressures of quality, quantity, deadlines and pricing inherent to their trade. " My workshop loses money and I must be able to understand why and of course to change that course of events, by setting prices that will take costs into account " , says Gakoko, owner of a carpentry workshop.

Espérance Mukarugwisa, a management instructor, has taught the craftsmen some major concepts of management: how to manage their inventory, how to keep their accounts, how to calculate the depreciation of their tools and the value of their sales, how to master marketing techniques and ultimately how to look for new markets and clients. Jihane Habachi, a Frères des Hommes intern with Duhamic-Adri, attended the session; this is what she had to say: " You should see Espérance training the craftsmen! Some of them never went to school, or very little. So she uses different techniques, especially hands-on ones, so that everyone will understand. " After this initial training, Espérance and Duhamic-Adri will provide a regular follow-up of the craftsmen they have trained, to help them use their new skills in their workshops.

Find about the current activity program set up with Duhamic-Adri:
Rwanda - Developing artisan woodwork to restore life to the countryside

Update: Friday 19 March 2010