Synergy International Rwanda (SIR) Ltd, a new industry and a vocational training institute is set to ensure and promote quality technical skills in order to equip Rwandans with entrepreneurial knowledge.
Speaking to igihe.com, Esther Nduta Chege, a social entrepreneur and Managing Director, SIR Ltd, observed, “Many Rwandans don’t believe in themselves and fear taking risks in doing business yet fearing risks has negative impact on ones life.”
SIR Ltd, consists of both textiles industry and a vocational training institute.
“We looked at the needs of Rwanda society and seek to bridge the illiteracy gap and decided to import the trainer to train local people and equip them with market skills, especially in fashion design, equip them with business skills, entrepreneur skills, and teach them business English that can help them communicating well with clients,” Chege added.
She added that the institution is aiming at mentoring entrepreneurs,”as Africans there is unemployment challenge especially among the youth.”
“There are some of the students that will be retained in my textile industry, and the rest we are looking for other possible means to help them start small businesses because most of them are financially crippled,” the director noted.
The institution is now training fashion and design, entrepreneurship skills, business English and computer skills.
It is also intending to expand to other areas of training like in carpentry, leather work, plumbing, wielding.
According to the director, there are some challenges met. “I get many people to teach but most of them can’t afford school fees due to financial problems and sometimes I even dig from my pocket to pay their tutor,” she said.
Esther Nduta Chege holds 2nd upper class degree in Psychology from Kenyatta University. She has worked with Martin Luther for Africa Foundation as Program Manager. She is also working with an NGO called Amani Africa Rwanda, and a social entrepreneur who owns a textile industry.
Saloma Wamachii Ngabi, a professional in clothing, textile and fashion design and also a trainer to the institution pointed out: “I give them hand skills which they can use any time in their life.
“With such skills they can do some temporally jobs and earn a living or start up a small related business which can earn them some good money.”
According to the her if someone starts a small retail business with the starting capital worth Rwf350.000, that person can be in position of earning up to Rwf1M per months.
She also says there are challenges she meets while training her students, “The challenge is getting them to the required standard because most of them never went to school and for them to understand what I teach them is somehow difficult.”
Samson Nzabihimana 40, from Remera sector, Nyabisindu cell has a family of three children and is a trainee, “It’s really interesting to study this course because we are heading to the modern world where skills attained from here are not only meant for survival but also can be turned into a life business.
“The only challenge I find is mixing studies with my family which is quite costly but since it is for the future benefit, I have to be patient and finish my course,” Nzabihimana added.
Angelique Musabyemariya 24, a mother of one child from Masoro in Gasabo district is also a student at this instititution.
She says,“We have been learning how to do tailoring for 6 months now but it is helpful to us because we are considering it as our future life business and after studying I will do tailoring together with my school mates since we have come into a cooperative and we are empowered to start up business after the course.
“We normally find the major problem of paying school fees due to lack of finance but since we are committed and know what we are doing, we shall then do it and succeed if God helps us,” Musabyemariya pointed out.
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