Transforming women, transforming Rwanda — measuring the real change in lives, families, and communities.
What began as an opportunity for basic income generation and skills training has grown to produce positive multiplier effects in the lives of our weavers, their children, their families, and their communities. Over 5,000 women in 52 cooperatives across all 30 districts of Rwanda now carry that work forward.
Our weavers have achieved access to education for their children, clean water and nutritious foods for their families, and secure housing for their livelihoods — helping to enrich and strengthen communities across Rwanda.
Health Insurance
Women cover Mutuelle de Santé
Bank Accounts
Own bank accounts
Entrepreneurs
Started own businesses
Community Leaders
Became local leaders
Sustainable income through basket weaving, jewellery making, and tailoring provides economic independence and dignity.
Earnings from weaving enable families to send children to school and invest in their future.
Improved nutrition and access to clean water and sanitation for families across Rwanda.
Cooperatives have built houses with iron sheet roofs, replacing inadequate shelters.
Gahaya Links has played a pivotal role in promoting reconciliation efforts over the years and has helped women address positive living and the stigma around HIV and AIDS.
In 2008, Gahaya Links won the 'Best Corporate Social Responsibility' award for empowering disadvantaged women in rural areas through training and access to global markets.
From founding in the wake of the 1994 Genocide to today's creative residency — a timeline of moments that shaped Gahaya Links.
In partnership with Creative Rwanda and the Mastercard Foundation, bringing fifteen creatives from across Africa into co-creation with master artisan cooperatives.
Read about the ResidencyRecognised by the Alliance for Artisan Enterprise and The Aspen Institute for outstanding leadership in artisan enterprise and sustainable development.
View all awardsThe cooperative network expands to cover all 30 districts of Rwanda, organised into 52 savings cooperatives with more than 4,000 active members.
Gold Exporter of the Year, Legatum Pioneers of Prosperity Award (US$50,000), The Africa Prize, and a Letter of Recognition from Former US First Lady Laura Bush — all in a single year.
See the full listGahaya Links became the first Rwandan handicraft export company to benefit from AGOA, launching the Path to Peace partnership with Macy's and Fairwinds Trading Inc.
Meet our partnersSisters Joy Ndungutse and Janet Nkubana build a training facility and marketplace to economically empower Rwandan women through traditional weaving — starting with twenty-seven women.
Read our storyEvery statistic on this page belongs to a woman with a name, a story, and a cooperative. Meet some of them.