After losing his parents, Rumaragishyika Jean Lambert and his siblings found a way forward through making open sandals with modern sewing machines.
Rumaragishyika, who hails from Rwamagana District, grew up in Kigali City after learning that his father had died before he was born, and his mother remarried. His mother also passed away later, and the siblings were separated.
Being the eldest in the family, he began thinking of ways to improve his life while also helping his siblings so they wouldn’t fall behind.
He and a close friend teamed up to start a shoe-making business.
When Rumaragishyika finished high school in 2017, he partnered with his younger brother, who had learned the craft, and they started making shoes with limited resources.
In 2020, they found a place to work in Gikondo and launched a company called “Answer Collection,” starting with just one manual machine. Over time, they expanded, bought more machines, produced trendy shoes, and gained more customers as their business became known.
The shoe artisans said it’s difficult to specify their daily income since it varies, but they affirmed that they can sustain themselves and solve their personal family problems.
Rumaragishyika told Kura that they faced challenges, including the mindset of Rwandans, who didn’t initially trust locally made products, making it hard to attract customers.
He added that they strived to produce high-quality items, and eventually, many people started appreciating their expertly crafted shoes.
The COVID-19 pandemic was also a challenge, as they had to halt production for a while.
Working as a family helped them coordinate easily. After expanding, they offered opportunities to other family members and employed friends from their community.
He said, “Working as a family allowed us to reinvest the little profits we made, which enabled us to take further steps in this journey.”
Rumaragishyika brought his siblings together, and they worked as a team. They even supported those who had dropped out of school to return and paid their fees, while also providing them with jobs at Answer Collection.
He explained that coming together gave them the love they missed during childhood, and they shared ideas for various projects.
“Lack of knowledge is deadly,” Rumaragishyika Lambert said to those who look down on shoemaking, noting that they are very mistaken.
He added, “Let me tell those who think this trade is inferior that they don’t know what they’re talking about. Work is work, and we don’t do this because we’re uneducated; we do it as learned individuals. There are even others who are highly educated and do the same work.”
“This is a job that provides for our daily needs. We don’t look shabby, and we don’t work in poor conditions. Our workspace requires serious investment and solid materials. So, it’s hard for me to reason with anyone who belittles this job.”
Together with his siblings, they aim to grow and establish a large factory that can provide jobs to many Rwandans who are passionate about this craft.
He advised young people who are hesitant to believe in themselves and pursue entrepreneurship, even if they start small, so they learn how to manage resources effectively.
He added, “I encourage them to start with what they have, because even if someone comes to help them, they will build upon their determination and the effort they’ve already put in.”
