At just 21 years old, Yvette Vumiliya has become a respected young entrepreneur in the welding industry in Nyamirambo. Now the owner of her own welding workshop and an employer of several young people, she is living proof that vocational training can transform lives.
“Thanks to this profession, I regained my dignity and the ability to support my family,” she says proudly.
Yvette is the third and youngest child in her family. Her childhood was marked by severe financial hardship. After failing her ordinary level national examinations, she was unable to continue her education. Like many young people facing poverty, she found herself without a clear vision for the future.
“I stayed at home, not knowing what would become of me,” she recalls.
Her life began to change when her village chef visited her home while identifying young people who had dropped out of school and could benefit from vocational training supported by the Nyarugenge District in partnership with Caritas Kigali. This opportunity would prove to be a turning point in her life.
Between December 2023 and January 2024, Yvette enrolled at Butamwa Vocational Training Center (VTC Butamwa), where she chose to study welding, a profession traditionally dominated by men.
“I have loved welding since I was a child. Whenever I passed by people doing this work, I would tell myself that one day I would become like them,” Yvette says with a smile.
Determined to succeed, she accepted an unpaid internship after completing her theoretical training in order to gain practical experience. Her perseverance quickly paid off. Using the allowances she received during her internship and bonuses earned at the workshop, she began saving money. With her first savings, she purchased a starter kit consisting of a grinder, a drilling machine, and a welding machine.
Equipped with these basic tools and a strong determination to succeed, Yvette began searching for her own contracts. At first, she earned around Rwf 7,000 per day. Rather than spending all her income, she continued to save diligently. Six months later, her efforts paid off. She was able to purchase a second grinder and another welding machine, significantly expanding her workshop’s capacity.
Today, her business owns two grinders, two welding machines, and a drilling machine, all operating from her workshop in Nyamirambo.
Her business continues to grow. Yvette now earns at least Rwf 15,000 per day and serves both individual clients and various customers in need of welding services. Depending on the workload, she regularly employs two to three young people, providing them with income opportunities and valuable work experience.
Beyond her own success, Yvette has become a vital source of support for her family. Through her earnings, she helps her mother meet the household’s needs. She is also preparing for the future by saving Rwf 7,000 every week through internal savings and lending community group.
Yet her ambitions go even further
“My dream is to buy a plot of land where I can build my own workshop instead of renting. I also want to expand my business and create more jobs for young people,” she explains.
Alongside her welding workshop, Yvette plans to open a hardware store that will allow her to offer a complete service to her customers. Clients who need metal materials and welding services will be able to find both in one place. She hopes to bring this project to life by early 2028.
Yvette’s journey demonstrates that with opportunity, appropriate skills training, and determination, even the most difficult circumstances can be transformed into success. From a school dropout with no clear prospects, she has become a young entrepreneur building her future while contributing to the development of her community.