Stitching Hope: How DuHope and PlanItSwiss Are Transforming Old Banners into New Beginnings
It all started with a conversation. In late December, through a mutual connection, we met Judith de Klerk Reed from PlanItSwiss, an event company known for hosting some of the largest events in Rwanda. But this wasn’t just about business. PlanItSwiss was searching for a partner to bring a corporate social responsibility (CSR) project to life—one that could turn old, waterproof vinyl banners into something meaningful.
Their vision? To repurpose these banners into durable backpacks for school children in low-income communities. Specifically, they hoped to provide students in Gahanga, where their workshop is located, with a practical tool to support their education. The initial goal was ambitious: 1,000 backpacks by the end of 2025.
For DuHope, this was an incredible opportunity, but also a significant challenge. While our artisans were skilled, they had never mass-produced backpacks before. The project required training, refining designs, and scaling up production. Initially, we even thought we might have to outsource some of the tailoring. But our women stepped up to the challenge in a way that exceeded expectations.
A First Step Forward
To test the waters, Judith offered DuHope a two-week contract: 20 backpacks per week, delivered every Monday. This trial run allowed us to refine our processes, train our artisans, and assess our capacity. We met the challenge head-on and successfully completed the initial contract. The results were promising, and as a result, PlanItSwiss extended the agreement, turning it into an ongoing partnership.
DuHope was able to take on the full production in-house. Instead of outsourcing, our nine artisans are now fully employed to make these backpacks, proving that this project is not only possible but sustainable.
Designing for Impact
Long before the first stitches were sewn, Jennifer Mally, a longtime collaborator, had been working on a backpack design that could be crafted from vinyl banners. With input from both Judith and Jennifer, we refined the design—making it simpler, more modern, and easier to construct. This made training smoother for our artisans.
The redesign process took place between late December and early January, with Jennifer fine-tuning the prototype and securing approval. By mid-January, Judith arrived with the first batch of vinyl banners, and production officially began.
Training for Transformation
Quality and consistency were crucial. To ensure our artisans could meet the growing demand, Jennifer trained Felecite Ishimwe, DuHope’s production manager, on quality control and operations. Together, they have since trained nine women—six from our C0 program and three from C1—empowering them with new skills and a sustainable source of income.
Each artisan works full-time on the backpacks, with a daily goal of making four. With a full workday dedicated to making four backpacks, the team consistently hits the 20-per-week goal, keeping the project on track.
A Step Toward the Future
This project is more than just backpacks—it’s a turning point for DuHope. It marks a transition into full-time employment beyond jewelry production, opening new doors for financial stability and career growth. For the women in our C1 program, this work serves as a crucial kickstart as they prepare for the next phase of their professional journey.
More than that, this is a step toward expanding the possibilities for our artisans beyond DuHope’s current offerings.
What began as a simple CSR initiative has transformed into a sustainable, impactful program—one that benefits not only the children who will receive these backpacks but also the women whose hands stitch them together. With every seam, we’re not just making backpacks; we’re weaving a future filled with dignity, hope, and self-sufficiency.
This is just the beginning.
*If you’re inspired by this project and want to help us continue empowering women through sustainable employment, consider making a monthly gift today at www.duhope.org/give.