When We Breathe

My journey back to Rwanda over the past four years has been a profound awakening, igniting a fire within me to delve deeper into the power of collaboration. When I first immersed myself in the culture and witnessed the resilience of its people, I couldn’t help but reflect on the importance of working together toward common goals. In addition to the culture, Rwanda’s history—marked by both tragedy and resilient progress—serves as a touching reminder of the transformative potential of collective efforts.

In revisiting the emotions of my inner child, I uncovered layers of unexplored sentiments that had long been asleep. The process of collaboration acted as a bridge, connecting me to these emotions and allowing me to understand their significance in shaping my perspective and the person I am today. It became evident that genuine collaboration isn't merely about achieving external objectives, it's about embracing the harmony it brings within oneself.

The lasting impact of this realization has been profound, propelling me to advocate for collaboration as a catalyst for personal and societal growth. Through my experiences, I've understood that collaboration isn't just about achieving goals—it's about fostering genuine connections, nurturing one’s inner child, and embracing the transformative journey it offers. 

The true value of collaboration lies not only in the outcomes it yields, but in the harmony it cultivates within us and the genuine intent it instills in our actions. By embracing collaboration, we unlock our full potential and pave the way for a more harmonious and interconnected world.

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The Photoshoot / Collaboration

The following images are the product of my collaboration with Shema Gaetan, a fashion designer and creative director based in Kigali. Our paths first crossed in the summer of 2022, when I was looking for creatives to collaborate with in Rwanda. We began working on a project to capture Shema’s Amasunzu haircut (a traditional Rwandan haircut) and quickly bonded over our mutual enthusiasm for collaboration and dedication to creative pursuits with an impact in Rwanda and beyond. 

In December of 2023, we had another opportunity to collaborate, this time on a larger photo project with more creatives. Shema enthusiastically got on board, scouted a location, and brought on models Ngabo Elvis, Niyonizeye Claude, Billy Kenny Arakaza, and Gatera Aristarica. Together, we experimented with emotion, movement, light, and distance, showcasing the power and potential of collaborative digital storytelling. The images we captured together reflect our shared passion for using fashion, friendship and the camera lens to bring the world to Rwanda, and Rwanda to the world. 

‍Shema Gaetan and the BREATHE fashion canvas

In each of his creative projects, Shema Gaetan draws inspiration from his personal experiences and environments, with his art reflecting his rural upbringing in Rusizi, his everyday experiences, and Kigali’s vibrant community.

In these images, Shema’s creative direction was rooted in childhood memories, friendship, and boyhood. Weaving together his past— growing up in a western Rwandan village— and his present in dynamic and vibrant Kigali, Shema reconciles youth and maturity. 

Throughout the project he expressed that reviving these memories of his school days within the context of his contemporary lifestyle was the most fulfilling aspect of our collaboration. Together, we hope these images highlight the potential of collaboration across creative disciplines and backgrounds, and move others to pursue more collective efforts. 

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A letter to my childhood friends (the poem)

By Winnie Rugamba

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If I were a bird,

I would always fly to you first 

I would fly away from the noise, the pace, and the thirst in the city 

I would fly to you first 

and land on the trees that our legs climbed with our eyes closed

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If I were  a bird 

I would fly away from the strangers with familiar faces

I would fly to you first

and land on the sounds that molded my heart

the sounds of you, of me, of us,

I would land on our laughter that echoed through the walls of our classrooms,

the roads that swallowed our feet with dust

I would land on our tiny blackboards

that we somehow held onto like we held onto each other-

like we held onto a love that would take different paths

like a love that would live beyond this life 

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If I were a bird I would fly to you first

I would land on your shoulder 

I would spend the day with you

I would find ways for you to know that it’s me

I would then tell you about my days 

I would then tell you about Kigali 

I would then tell you how different life is

I would then tell you how I haven’t changed

I would then tell you how I still hold onto my small blackboard

I would then tell you how I still hold onto you, to us, to home

If I were a bird, I would always fly to you first.

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Credits:

Photography: Samuel Mironko

Creative Director and Stylist: Shema Gaetan

Models: Ngabo Elvis (@bobo_elvis), Niyonizeye Claude (@besty_claude), Billy Kenny Arakaza (@iambill_k), Gatera Aristarica (@kunda_model)

Authors: Sandypone (Introduction), Rebecca Mironko (Body Paragraphs), Winnie Rugamba (Poem)  

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