Artisan Interview: Thacienne Mukamuligo

Thacienne: My name is Mukamuligo Thacienne. I’m 52 years old. I have three children. I am a widow. I live in Nyagihunika in sector of Rusenyi and the district of Nyamata. I am part of Covanya cooperative.

Jadot (Indego Africa's Rwanda Program Coordinator): Can you share with us something about your life or anything you want?

T: My story is so long. Jadot, the way you see me as calm and quiet but I have a very long story. I have never seen in my life my mother. I have never known her. When you told us that your mother passed away I said probably you have had a chance to see her and know her but me I have never had such a chance. And when I got married then my husband went mad but I endured that. I didn’t want to leave him alone and people were like “That woman is like an animal. How can she stay with a crazy person?” But this was not the only problem. I had also another problem because every time I gave birth, my children died when they were very young. I had twelve children but now I have only three. And when genocide began, I told you my husband was crazy and even he didn’t want to flee so he was killed. Then I became a widow. I tell you that there is a time I felt my life was stopped because of his death. Though he was sick but I could still see him. I also lost children in genocide. I felt like I was dead inside but I was still living. I felt like I didn’t want to see other people. I felt like I wanted to be in a closed place where I couldn’t see other people. But because I had gone to school it helped me a bit. Though I was like mad but I had that knowledge I got from school so the RPF gave me a position in the local government. I worked at the lowest level up to the sector level and that’s where I got a chance to learn how to weave. You see, coming from Nyagihunika, it was a chance that I would not have had if I had not worked in the administration because they had chosen two people per sector (to be trained in weaving). So those who were trained were encouraged to form the weaving cooperatives so I decided I’ll never leave the cooperative. I had seen other women with whom we share a lot in our life so I felt very happy to be with other women. Caritas (the old president) used to tell us to go back to our villages but I said I will never leave this place. This is the town, this is where things are and where I became civilized and was able to make money. I used to keep my money in a hole in my house and the mice ate my money so because of being with others I was able to open a bank account and save my money at the bank. From the money we earn in the cooperative and the other money I make I save that money at my bank account so now I’m grateful to God and I thank God.

J: Can you tell me if there is something that you have benefited from the partnership between Indego and the cooperative on a personal level?

T: Oh, I’m very excited about the partnership. Haven’t I just told you because of working with Indego, I would have given up? I was here for a whole year without selling anything and I had kids to take care of at home. Though there are only three even those three they need to eat and have clothes. I had one I was paying for their school fees but when Indego came I was able to sell my products and save and I can tell you that I have been able to pay for the school fees and my child was able to go to secondary school. So I’m very happy and secure because of the partnership. My only wish is that we may have more orders so as we be able to get enough income.

J: Is there anything else you would like to share with us that you didn’t talk about?

T: The one wish I have in my life is to never see genocide in my life again because it affected me so much. Because as I told you, I had four siblings and they all died, even my dad, so I was left alone. I had no one in my life. I always considered my elder brother as my father but when he died I felt bad and I felt everything was over. So when I’m at the cooperative I just feel better. I didn’t tell you that I have three grandchildren whom I live with. Even when those children cry I just tell my daughters to comfort them because I don’t like to hear children crying. I have a wound inside me so when I hear them crying, it hurts me. So I just like to be calm and to be in a peaceful place. Even here, when there are some disputes I don’t feel good. I just like it when we are all laughing and all having fun. So that’s my life. Thank you very much.

September 2009