On March 28, 2025, a training and experience-sharing workshop on fair trade took place at Azizi Life’s office in Ruhango district, Rwanda. The workshop brought together representatives from seven cooperatives, each sending two members to participate, alongside staff from UGAMA and ARDE/KUBAHO, working within the Vitoria project. The session was a valuable opportunity to dive deep into the principles and practices of fair trade, providing attendees with essential knowledge on how to succeed within this framework.
Azizi Life, a company dedicated to fair trade and working with numerous cooperatives specializing in crafts, welcomed the group with a comprehensive overview of their operations. The day began with a visit to the Azizi Life shop, where participants explored a wide variety of handmade products such as woven sisal items, banana fiber creations, wooden artifacts, and beeswax-based goods. The visit highlighted the importance of using local materials and traditional craftsmanship to create high-quality, sustainable products.
Cooperatives members observing intently
The group also toured Azizi Life’s processing areas, where they observed the transformation of beeswax into products like soap, candles, and cosmetic oils. Additionally, they visited the workshop where sisal is dyed and processed. A final stop at the storage facility gave them insight into how Azizi Life manages its finished products.
The main objective of the workshop was to strengthen participants’ understanding of fair trade principles and their application in Rwanda. The session helped cooperative members learn practical methods for improving their own production techniques, inspired by the best practices demonstrated by Azizi Life. The training also provided insights into the challenges and opportunities within fair trade, encouraging participants to think creatively and expand their operations.
One of the key takeaways for the participants was the inspiration to innovate within their cooperatives. Many left with ideas for introducing new products and ensuring that every member of the cooperative is actively engaged in creating something meaningful. The experience not only deepened their knowledge of fair trade but also motivated them to push for greater success and collaboration in the future.
Azizi Life is full of beautiful handmade crafts
As the day concluded, attendees were energized by the possibilities for growth within their cooperatives and felt empowered to take what they had learned to improve their practices and expand their reach in the fair trade market.
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