Dolls Laughter and Hair Debates

“Blessings and Blunders: A Journey of Learning in Rwanda” – Part 5

When the classroom lights dim, the learning doesn’t stop—it just moves down the road.

This week, after our seminars wrapped up, we made the 15-minute walk to our sewing co-op. There, a group of incredible mothers waited with eager hands and sharp needles, ready to learn a new skill: making dolls for tourists.

I had designed a small doll made entirely from African fabric, one that could be crafted from the leftover scraps of other sewing projects. The goal? Create a product that’s beautiful, meaningful, and marketable—helping these women earn an income for themselves and their families.

These ladies aren’t beginners. They're seasoned seamstresses who only needed a few tips on the new stitching order and unfamiliar doll-making steps. And once we got rolling, so did the humor.

Cue the cultural debate: the doll’s side loops. To them, clearly "amatwi" (ears). To me, definitely "umusatsi" (hair).

I did my best to explain—with gestures, sketches, and eventually, my own head. I pulled my hair into two stubby ponytails and declared triumphantly, “Umusatsi!” The room erupted. Laughter bounced off the walls like a drumbeat of joy. Consensus achieved. Hair it was.

It was one of those unforgettable moments where language meets love, and collaboration breeds connection. And it didn’t end there—these talented women finished their first batch of dolls, proudly posing for a photo like artists unveiling their masterpiece.

✨ Want one of these handmade dolls? They range from $30 to $50 depending on the size, and every penny goes directly to the sewing co-op to cover supplies and wages.

 To order, contact us at livingchannel@g.mail.com

Stay tuned for Post 6: “Seeds of a School in the University District”, where dreams of a permanent learning space are taking root—just across from Kigali’s newest expansion campus.