Cooperative de Couture de Kicukiro (Cocoki) is a sewing cooperative of more than 40 talented artisan women in Kigali, Rwanda that has partnered with Indego Africa since 2007.
The women of Cocoki have worked their way up from the most difficult of circumstances and now are role models and mentors across Rwanda. As Emelienne Nyiramana, Founder and Treasurer, explained, Cocoki "started with so many problems, but with our increasing sales and Indego Africa’s training programs in financial management, entrepreneurship, literacy, and computers, it has grown into a business that makes us proud."
Cocoki has fulfilled orders for Nicole Miller, Anthropologie, DANNIJO Jewelry, and many more, and its products and story have been featured in The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, Elle, and InStyle.
Cocoki Artisans Visit the U.S.!
Two of Cocoki’s leaders, Emelienne Nyiramana (Founder, Treasurer & Master Seamstress) and Therese Iribagiza (Vice President & Master Seamstress), both graduates of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women Initiative at the School of Finance & Banking in Kigali, recently embarked on a whirlwind 17-day tour of New York City and Washington, D.C. They met with retailers and supporters and received valuable trainings to implement at Cocoki upon their return.
The distinguished trio spent two full days with fashion designer Nicole Miller and her team, receiving training in advanced sewing techniques, design, and business strategy, followed by a vibrant party at Nicole’s boutique. They also visited DANNIJO Jewelry’s design studio in the Meatpacking District to speak with the inspiring founders about future design collaborations and lessons learned as fellow women entrepreneurs.
At the global headquarters of Goldman Sachs, Emelienne and Therese shared their experiences both as Indego Africa artisan partners and as Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women program participants with an overflowing room of firm employees. Emelienne explained that her “secret to leadership is listening,” while Therese reasoned that one must “be an example for others and look at the future, not just the present.”
See pictures, watch the video and learn more about their historic trip here.
Please consider investing in Cocoki’s extraordinary progress. Your contributions allow the women to purchase raw materials, crucial sewing equipment, and send their children to school.
Cocoki in Portraits
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VIDEO
Visit Cocoki
If you're in Rwanda, visit Cocoki to meet these incredible, entrepreneurial women!
Directions
From Downtown
Stay on Rwandex street until you reach Rwandex Junction. Turn right onto Zion Temple Church road. Head straight (approx.10 minutes by foot) until you reach the second hill street. Cocoki will be on your left.
From Remera
From SONATUBES roundabout, turn left and head straight towards Kicukiro market (approx. 20 minutes by foot). When you reach Kicukiro market, turn right and head straight up the first hill street (approx.10 minutes by foot). Cocoki will be on your right.
