As we mark International Women’s Day 2022 we are pleased to release the first instalment of our RwandaInUK Diaspora Interview Series. Gisele Pelosi is an inspirational member of the Rwandan Community in the U.K. who plays an active role in women’s empowerment projects in the U.K. and in Rwanda. The interview will cover how Gisele helps to bring the community together in the UK and will also explore how to maintain a strong connection with Rwanda whilst living abroad. 

How do you help to bring the RCA Community together in the UK, and how can Rwandans in the UK get involved?

GP - I have started a get-together every last Friday of the month where all Rwandans in London are invited to meet, share a drink, network and connect. I would like to see numbers                          increase and hopefully have an event where all Rwandans in London can meet up. We plan to relocate to a bigger venue where we can accommodate more people and also make the events more culturally oriented.
   We have Rwandans in other parts of the UK who also meet and bring their communities together on a regular basis and I hope that all communities can empower and support each other to build a stronger community in the UK.

What would be your message to RCA members who want to strengthen their connection to Rwanda?

GP - My message would be to stay true to their roots, to our culture, and know that first and foremost we are Rwandans. Other ways to strengthen their connection would be by visiting                     whenever possible or investing in the country - there are many ways to do this, and help is on hand when needed.

Do you have a message for International Women’s Day? 

GP - It is very important to highlight the role women play in our society. As we celebrate them this year, I would like to focus on women in less developed countries such as Rwanda, where I originate from. As the country continues to develop, women's development is continuing to be one of Rwanda’s focuses to ensure that women are given the same opportunity as men in the workplace and in all other areas of society. I am proud to say that women make up 61.3% of Rwanda's parliament.
Women’s empowerment is essential to the health and social development of families and communities. When women are living safe, fulfilled, and productive lives they can reach their full potential, contributing their skills to the workforce and the economy as a whole.

Why did you decide to start the Umucyo Foundation? 

GP - I started Umucyo Foundation with a friend of mine, Pascaline Nzigamasaba after realising that as members of the Diaspora, as women and as mothers we had the resources and capabilities to support women who were less privileged than us in Rwanda, in particular widows, orphans, and survivors of the Genocide Against the Tutsi. Our aim is to help them achieve financial independence by training them in craft making, sewing and financial literacy. Once they complete their training, they have skills they can use to make and sell products.

Tell us more about the work of the Foundation? 

GP - Our work has mainly been based in Kigali for the last four years. We have seven sewing machines and have trained more than thirty women to sew. Once they complete their training the participants are offered certificates recognised by the local authority. We aim to increase the numbers of sewing machines and resume training as soon as we can, after disruption caused by the COVID19 pandemic.

The High Commission would like to sincerely thank Gisele for her valuable contribution. We will be sharing more RwandaInUK Diaspora Interviews over the coming months Be sure to sign up to our Newsletter here to ensure you don’t miss the next one.