Art changes Isingiro women
Jul 22, 2011
ART never realises its full potential until it touches hearts. The women of Ruhiira village in Isingiro district are a living example of a simple, yet powerful way in which art is making a difference in people’s lives.
By Stephen Ssenkaaba
ART never realises its full potential until it touches hearts. The women of Ruhiira village in Isingiro district are a living example of a simple, yet powerful way in which art is making a difference in people’s lives.
Using locally obtained materials such as banana fibre, plastic, beads and others, these women have woven their future around these simple crafts. And the results have been amazing.
The women proudly showed off their products to a team of visitors from the Millennium Villages project last weekend. The team was led by Prof. Jeffrey Sachs, special adviser to the United Nations Secretary General on the Millennium Development Goals.
He was accompanied by Walter Wang, the CEO of JM Eagle, the world’s largest manufacturers of plastic pipes.
The visit was part of follow-up activities for the implementation of Millennium Villages project in Isingiro where it has been running since 2006.
The showcase comprised simple artifacts including baskets, necklaces, bracelets, purses, earrings and other functional materials.
The materials appear in a multitude of bright colours including green, red, blue, orange and yellow. They are also made in different designs and shapes.
From the round to the angular, the women try their best to put creativity into their work. I was most captivated by a purse made from banana fibre. The checkered pattern of contrasting dark and lighter shades of fibre is attractive to the eyes.
According to Millennium Villages project, the exhibit organisers, all the artifacts were produced after several months of training for the women, facilitated and conducted by the Millennium village staff.
The crafts are up for sale now and the proceeds will be used to buy more materials and also as a source of income for the participating women.
Jenina Kwarikunda, a widow has been a beneficiary. She said: “I have learnt a lot from this project. I can now use my skills to earn a living and support my children.â€
ART never realises its full potential until it touches hearts. The women of Ruhiira village in Isingiro district are a living example of a simple, yet powerful way in which art is making a difference in people’s lives.
Using locally obtained materials such as banana fibre, plastic, beads and others, these women have woven their future around these simple crafts. And the results have been amazing.
The women proudly showed off their products to a team of visitors from the Millennium Villages project last weekend. The team was led by Prof. Jeffrey Sachs, special adviser to the United Nations Secretary General on the Millennium Development Goals.
He was accompanied by Walter Wang, the CEO of JM Eagle, the world’s largest manufacturers of plastic pipes.
The visit was part of follow-up activities for the implementation of Millennium Villages project in Isingiro where it has been running since 2006.
The showcase comprised simple artifacts including baskets, necklaces, bracelets, purses, earrings and other functional materials.
The materials appear in a multitude of bright colours including green, red, blue, orange and yellow. They are also made in different designs and shapes.
From the round to the angular, the women try their best to put creativity into their work. I was most captivated by a purse made from banana fibre. The checkered pattern of contrasting dark and lighter shades of fibre is attractive to the eyes.
According to Millennium Villages project, the exhibit organisers, all the artifacts were produced after several months of training for the women, facilitated and conducted by the Millennium village staff.
The crafts are up for sale now and the proceeds will be used to buy more materials and also as a source of income for the participating women.
Jenina Kwarikunda, a widow has been a beneficiary. She said: “I have learnt a lot from this project. I can now use my skills to earn a living and support my children.â€