Ideally, the most effective role models are supposed to be those around you, whom you can talk to and may aspire to be like. However, for Therese Niyonkuru, this wasn’t the case. Those she knew including her parents were against her idea of doing a course in carpentry.

When she told her parents she was yet to join a course in carpentry, they advised her to go for other courses that are believed to be traditionally female courses.

"My parents and those around me, including society in general, were against my idea as they still didn’t believe in such areas which are dominated by male,” she says.

Niyonkuru with her workmates. Through carpentry she has learnt to look at things at a different angle to get along any obstacles she encounters in life.

The 24-year-old says she went against the negativity to pursue her dreams. As luck has it, she met her teacher who mentored and encouraged her to embrace carpentry.

Niyonkuru’s Carpentry teacher Abbas Ngabonziza at Fr. Ramon Kabuga TVET School in Kamonyi district says as part of his work, he normally encourages girls to pursue subjects that  will open doors to traditionally male dominated fields.

"Carpentry is reserved for boys, and parents play a big role in influencing this. My joy is helping young girls like Niyonkuru make their career choices freely, my part is to come in and provide guidance and reasons as to why one should go for what they like,” he says.

Passion in carpentry

Throughout her childhood, Niyonkuru says was always interested in learning new skills.

"With time, I came to realize that I had love for working with my hands, and carpentry in particular. Also, I had also seen the potential in this particular field therefore, the only way I could make a difference was by venturing into it,” she said.

With woodworking, Niyonkuru pointed out that she has been able to develop skills that can take off with in the future in addition to this, she says she has gotten to learn a lot of life lessons one of them being able to fix mistakes in life as long as you are willing to do so.

Through carpentry, she says this is where she has learnt to look at things at a different angle to get along any obstacles she encounters in life, something that makes her love what she is doing.

The talented carpenter makes furniture, beds, tables, wardrobes, flower wooden decoration among other woodwork. 

"If you decide to pursue your dreams, you give hope to others who want to do the same, most importantly, you can serve as their example and their reason why they should give it a try in fields that are perceived to be difficult,” she added.

Making a difference

After her A2 carpentry studies in 2017, Niyonkuru got an opportunity in 2019 to work in the carpentry field at Gacuriro, Gisozi, which was her dream come true.

At first she said her employer didn’t believe in her and the only thing he could offer was to pay her after every work piece she makes.

With time, he came to realize her potential and immediately put her on a contract, three months down the line.

"At the moment, Niyunkuru is among the best creative people among my employees. Among the five workers we have, she is the one who helps her fellow men as her skills are way better,” says Vestine Gwizimpundu, Niyonkuru’s supervisor.

The supervisor believes that in the woodwork, people should understand that women always make ideal finish carpenters as their attention to detail and care tends to be a bit more careful, and this is exactly what they see in Niyonkuru’s work.

She has been able to build more connections with clients due to her remarkable work.

The talented carpenter makes furniture, beds, tables, wardrobes, flower wooden decoration among other woodwork.

Niyonkuru said her work speaks for itself as she has been able to build more connections with clients who believe and trust in her work, something that keeps her going.

For those who still perceive carpentry as hard work, she said it’s more of a brain and skill game than muscle or energy.

From the last two years Niyonkuru has worked for someone, she now believes in coming up with her own enterprise, which she says will commence soon.

"With my little savings, it’s time to be my own boss as I have been able to gain more skills and knowledge that will help me thrive. Coming up with my own carpentry shop will be my dream come true, as I want to use my passion to inspire other people out there,” she said.

 Her appeal however is that the concerned bodies should look at potentially young women just like her, who are trying to make a difference in such fields, and support them, citing financial constraints as one of the main reasons why most women don’t fulfill their dreams.