Nyamirambo Women’s Center

 Nyamirambo Women’s Center, an NGO, was founded by 18 Rwandan women at the end of 2007. These women collaborated to develop an initiative that sought to combat prejudice, gender inequity, and gender-based violence. Their main aim that still stands to date is to give support, empower and educate women who lack the financial resources to pay for their own education and vocational training so that they can improve their employment prospects.

NWC aims at strengthening institutional and organizational capacity, promoting and empowering women through capacity development and employment and to promote women and community -based tourism.

For the NGO to accomplish its objectives, NWC provides free workshops in reading, English, basic computer skills, sewing, handicrafts, and empowerment trainings on gender-based violence and responsible community-based tourism which has helped to increase their income and attracted several tourism opportunities.

In 2013, NWC unveiled the product line “Umutima,” translating to “heart” in Kinyarwanda. This project enables NWC to train and employ women from the local community, empowering them to create an array of women’s accessories, children’s clothing, and interior design products. Currently, more than 50 women are employed by Umutima as seamstresses. Umutima and NWC have transformed into an unique, self-sustaining arrangement where the profits generated by the project are utilized to support NWC initiatives and also offer rewards and decent payments to the seamstresses.

In 2014, a small community library across the street from NWC opened, offering books in Kinyarwanda, English, and French. This library has helped to encourage reading among Rwandan kids and to promote the concept of “one child, one book” in a country where many children do not have a chance to read and discover the world by using books.

Experiences at Nyamirambo Women’s Center

Nyamirambo Walking Tour

As you embark on the Kigali city tour, Nyamirambo walking tour is one of the best experiences you should not miss. The walk begins with a warm welcome and simple briefing at Nyamirambo women’s center. Its a guided exploration which involves walking to different places in the Kigali suburbs with the leadership of   knowledgeable and passionate local guides.

 The walk leads you through the vibrant streets of Nyamirambo, where you get to interact with the locals and witness their daily life.

With the walking safari. visit the marketplace, meet the vendors and their noticeable goods , learn about tradition and also pick some souvenirs.

Visit a milk shop to learn milk processing and discover the importance of milk to Rwandan culture.

 Through the walk, gain insight onto the community homes. Meet the residents, engage in conversations, share stories and learn their challenges and how they cope with daily life standards.

Nyamirambo streets are beautified by artistic design shops which you can also visit during your walking experience.

At the end of your experience, enjoy a heart felt lunch with your guides and some women from the cooperative, lately, you can donate or buy some of their products as a way of supporting.

Walking tours are organized for both  day and night sessions lasting 2-3 hours depending on your interest.

Cooking classes

Nyamirambo Women’s center offers a cooking class, an opportunity to experience  the preparation and taste of the Rwandan local cuisine.  As a participant, join a group of women to the market to buy some food and other cooking ingredients. At Aminatha’s home, join the local women to peel, chop the vegetables, start the charcoal stoves of make fireplaces with firewood and then involve in the cooking. With the guidance of ladies from the Nyamirambo women’s group, prepare and serve delicious local dishes. It an educational and interesting cultural experience.

 It is always a half day of full day experience.

Nyamirambo cooking is a simple experience which involves preparing tasty and non cultural dishes. It involves preparing snacks in an African way such as chapati, samosa, fried nuts and cereals, cakes and chips.

Hiking mount Kigali. 

Connecting with nature to mount Kigali is another adventure offered by Nyamirambo women’s center. The hike starts at Nyamirambo Women’s center an urban area and ending in the tranquil countryside at the top of Mount Kigali. This long (8.7 km) walk takes you through the history and daily life of the bustling Nyamirambo neighbourhood with the native locals before bringing you into harmony with nature as you hike up to summit Mount Kigali.  The hike is led by local guides.

Hand craft with the Nyamirambo women

Hand craft involves basket weaving and sewing experiences. Weaving art involves learning complex art techniques while using sisal. The session starts off with a brief introduction to the cultural background of sisal and then moves on to provide a comprehensive description of the process, beginning with the collection and ending with the finished product.  Participants get the opportunity to try their hand at basketry, a practice that is both time-consuming and deeply meaningful in terms of its historical significance. With both weaving and sewing, participants are provided with a needle and instructed by the skilled women at the center to begin weaving a tiny ornament of their choice that they will take home with them.

Souvenir shops

Nyamirambo Women’s centre has colourful souvenir shops where you can buy some finished craft products. This helps to support them to uplift their daily standards.

Note: All activities offered at Nyamirambo women’s centre end with a delicious lunch as an appreciation for their visit and support to the centre.

Other activities to do around Nyamirambo Women’s centre include visiting art galleries, shops and restaurants.

In Nyamirambo, you can enjoy walking in the car- free-zone. The car free zone is a pedestrian friendly area where cars are not allowed, people walk freely, go shopping,  socializing, watch street performances, sit and relax as they enjoy the  fresh atmosphere of Kigali City.