Life can come with its many struggles but surely when you love something, no matter what difficulties you encounter, eventually you get to do what you love, if you are passionate about it.
That is Phenias Ndahimana’s story, who is cutting a name in Kigali as the creative interior designer, giving houses a unique and fine touch that is different from what we have known for many years.
The 30-year-old Integrated Polytechnic Regional College of Ngoma (IPRC Ngoma) graduate did not let vulnerable conditions and hitches in life he encountered derail his dream.
Having studied motor vehicle mechanics, Ndahimana chose his passion for creative art and design over an oil soaked overall and spanner, even though he was not sure that he would get clients to believe in what he can do with his hands.
"For me, creative art and design is a talent which I believe I was born with. Even as I studied mechanics, my focus was mainly on fixing and decorating car interiors to look nice,”
"As time went on, I began to think and focus more on interior design. Honestly, I also can’t explain how I ended up in this field, which is why I believe it is a gift,” Ndahimana says.
He saw himself more in the field of interior design than what he studied in school but most importantly, it triggered his innovation and creativity.
"I had always loved being creative with wood products and tree trunks. I believe there is much we can do with them. So, I look for them, some I buy locally and others like ‘Muvura’ come from DR Congo,”
"I then play around with them and come up with different items for interior and exterior decoration, which I sell to my clients. I target clients with family houses and small apartments for single people,” Ndahimana says.
A desire to be self employed
Rather than hop from one garage to another looking for a job. Ndahimana wanted to do something he loves and earn a living from it.
"I would say I started making money off my craft in 2020 and I haven’t looked back. I was driven by the desire to be self-employed and to develop myself as a person and also to do something that adds value to my country.”
"When I started out, I realised many people were interested in interior décor and I said why not do it as a profession? I want young people to understand that this is something you can do by yourself, starting small, as long as you are passionate,” Ndahimana says.
From decorations, Ndahimana is now venturing into bigger wood products such as doors, windows, gates as well as small decorative items. He is also able to advise clients on interior design as they build.
Not a smooth ride
It hasn’t been a journey without hurdles. The biggest challenge he faces so far are clients who don’t understand the value of interior design, with many not willing to spend on beautifying the interior and exterior of their houses.
Even those who seem to understand want to pay less for it, without considering the time invested. Ndahimana’s uniqueness comes from not tampering with the natural shape of the wood, but instead focuses on enhancing its beauty.
This means he puts a lot of effort in preserving and conserving the quality and details of the product. Business is also volatile -sometimes he has many clients and other times they run dry.
Given the quality and unique approach, he also struggles to get quality wood he desires. Sometimes he finds the wood but it is not dry enough and his craft depends on fully dried wood to ensure that the products change shape when they dry up.
"As you might know, wood changes shape when it dries. Clients can get really angry when the product changes shape overtime. For example, a door can get out of shape if it is made out of wood that is not dry yet,”
"So, I always have a challenge of ensuring that I have dried wood somewhere and drying it takes really very long,” Ndahimana says.
Born in a family of woodsmen, Ndahimana believes when parents support their children’s talent, they can turn it into something they can make a living off. As a child, he used to be supported by his parents to craft things out of things.
His uncle, also a woodsman, supported him to start out. Today, Ndahimana employs five people permanently and hires between three and five non-permanent staff depending on the deals he has.
"Regardless of the volatility of clients, I can say that this is a profession that sustains me and many other people I hire. I challenge the youth not to fear and step out to pursue their dreams.” Ndahimana says.