Rwandan Woman Lifts Herself From Poverty Through Indego Africa

KIGALI, Rwanda, Jan. 26, 2011 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- Indego Africa is proud to announce that on January 19, 2011, Emelienne Nyiramana, Treasurer and Master Seamstress at Indego Africa's long-time partner in Rwanda, Cooperative de Couture de Kicukiro ("Cocoki"), graduated from the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women Entrepreneurship Certificate Program at the School of Finance and Banking in Kigali.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110126/CG37183)

The 10,000 Women Initiative is a $100 million, five-year campaign to provide 10,000 underserved women around the world with business and management education. Organized by the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan in partnership with Rwanda's School of Finance and Banking, the program combined rigorous classes, mentoring and an extensive business plan competition to equip graduates with the knowledge and skills needed to expand a successful enterprise in Rwanda.

"I love learning, and I always wanted to return to school," Emelienne said. "So when Indego told me about the program, I was excited and wanted to apply."

Emelienne, one of the 25 applicants selected out of more than 500, thrived in the program which included classes in marketing, public relations, management, accounting and Rwandan law. Her favorite part of the 6-month program was learning from other participants and guest speakers. "Every experience was very helpful since I could see that everything is possible when you work hard."

Emelienne is no stranger to the benefits of hard work.

Less than three years ago, Emelienne carried water 17 kilometers a day for 25 cents to support her five children, including an orphan from the 1994 Genocide. Today, as a result of her hard work and Cocoki's groundbreaking partnership with Indego Africa, she now earns more than $4 a day and is glowing with a new found pride and confidence.

"Emelienne won this certificate because of her bravery," says Cocoki's President Jacqueline Muteteri. "Despite the challenges in her family and her life, Emelienne thought not of the present, but of the future."

The future looks bright for Emelienne and Cocoki. With her newly obtained skills, Emelienne is thrilled to be able to share her new business plan with Cocoki which aims to attain independent access to Western markets. Cocoki currently sells their contemporary accessories on Indego Africa's webstore (http://shop.indegoafrica.org/) and at more than 60 high-end retailers across the U.S. In 2010, Cocoki also launched a vibrant line of textile bangles with iconic fashion designer Nicole Miller, a partnership that has been covered in The Huffington Post, Elle, Africa.com, InStyle, Essence, Stylecaster, and variety of other media outlets and fashion blogs.

To see and learn more about Emelienne and Cocoki visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XKizmtEncE.

ABOUT INDEGO AFRICA: Indego Africa is social enterprise empowering more than 200 independent businesswomen in Rwanda with access to fair trade export markets and education.  Indego Africa's mission is for its artisan partners to achieve independence on three criteria: personal financial independence, independence from Indego Africa, and independent export market access.  After scaling its success within Rwanda, Indego Africa plans to replicate its model in other African countries.  Indego Africa is a member of the Fair Trade Federation and the subject of a Harvard Business School case study.

Media Contact: Benjamin Stone Indego Africa, 646-271-5131, [email protected]

SOURCE Indego Africa