Mama Batatu Fashion House Graduates 44 Designers

Mama Batatu Fashion House has marked a powerful milestone in Rwanda’s vocational education journey with the graduation of 44 skilled designers and the official launch of a new tailoring workshop in Gatenga Sector of the Kicukiro District in Kigali City.

The event stood as a strong testament to how practical skills, when combined with entrepreneurship, can transform lives and strengthen the national economy.

The graduation ceremony brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including officials from the City of Kigali, Kicukiro District and Gatenga Sector, representatives from the Rwanda TVET Board (RTB), local leaders, parents, and proud families of the graduates.

It celebrated not only academic completion, but also resilience, confidence, and readiness for the labor market.

Among the graduates was Muhorakeye Delphine, who completed her studies during the 2024–2025 academic year. She confidently testified that Mama Batatu Fashion House equipped her with all the essential skills required in professional tailoring.

“The trainers do more than teach; they help you love what you do,” Delphine said.

“Because of the quality training I received, I now have many clients who appreciate my work. I am able to earn a living, pay rent on my own, and even save for the future.” She added

Her story reflects the core mission of the institution turning learning into sustainable livelihoods.

Another graduate, Mwamini Christine, shared a deeply personal journey of transformation.

“When I first joined, I lacked confidence and doubted whether I would complete the program successfully,” she explained. “But with continuous support and guidance, I grew both professionally and personally. Today, I am fully prepared to put into practice the many skills I have gained.”

Parents also expressed gratitude and pride in the impact Mama Batatu Fashion House has had on their children.
One parent called Eugenie Gahongayire noted :

“We have seen real change not only in skills, but in discipline, confidence, and vision for the future. Our children are no longer waiting for jobs; they are ready to create them. Mama Batatu is helping us so much. We have many young people with limited resources. But when we approach Mama Batatu with such cases, they are not hesitant to enroll them free of charge”

Representing the Rwanda TVET Board, Jean Damascene Renzaho, Youth Empowerment and Employment Promotion Specialist, praised Mama Batatu Fashion House for its perseverance and commitment to quality vocational training.

“This is more than just a graduation; it is a demonstration of the power of practical skills,” Renzaho stated.

“Mama Batatu Fashion House is directly responding to labor market needs by producing job-ready professionals who contribute to national economic growth.”

He encouraged graduates to continuously adapt to market demands while using their skills to improve their personal well-being and that of their communities.

A major highlight of the ceremony was the ribbon-cutting of a new tailoring workshop, established as a direct outcome of the entrepreneurship coaching integrated into the fashion curriculum.

The facility provides graduates with a shared, professional space to launch businesses, collaborate on projects, and transition smoothly from training to self-employment.

The Founder of Mama Batatu Fashion House Nizeye Marie Leonie reaffirmed the institution’s vision of using fashion as a tool for empowerment.

“Our goal has always been to see our trainees stand on their own,” the founder said. “This graduation and the opening of the workshop prove that when skills meet opportunity, independence becomes possible.”

Mama Batatu Fashion House is a leading vocational training center based in Kigali, Rwanda. Specializing in tailoring, fashion design, and entrepreneurship, the institution empowers youth and adults alike to achieve financial independence and dignity through creative and market-driven skills.