Tuyishimire King Evariste is a young entrepreneur who has advanced his life through “Nezerwa Bamboo Product Ltd,” a company that transforms bamboo into various products.
This company, which he founded, engages in both weaving and carpentry using bamboo.
In the weaving section, they create items such as lampshades that enhance lighting, waste baskets, and other products. In the carpentry section, they produce items like beds, chairs, tables, and other furniture.
The idea came from training he attended. From childhood, Tuyishimire had always dreamed of being self-employed. After finishing university, he continued feeling the urge to start his own business.
His entrepreneurial dreams were reignited by training offered to youth in his area on how to make the most of bamboo. He enrolled for six months of training. Thanks to the valuable certificate he earned, he received the opportunity to further his studies in China for two years. He returned with the skills needed to establish his company.
Tuyishimire is an entrepreneur who employs many young people. He asserts that his company employs nine women and five men.
Starting a business at a young age was a significant challenge for him, as he was often sidelined due to his age. However, he eventually proved himself and began securing various contracts.
He also faced a major challenge selling his products because buyers couldn’t initially believe that bamboo-made items could be durable.
He explains the uniqueness of transforming bamboo, saying, “The uniqueness of bamboo lies in its properties, offering great potential for carpentry and weaving, and it’s environmentally friendly.”
He continues, “You can plant a single bamboo tree, which produces up to 60 shoots and takes only three years to mature, unlike other trees that take longer to grow and don’t multiply as easily.”
Tuyishimire learned a lot about bamboo conservation, from cultivation to harvesting. He says, “When we study, we learn everything from planting bamboo to harvesting it and turning it into marketable products.”
Beyond the products he manufactures from bamboo, he also noted that there are different types of bamboo, some of which are edible. Bamboo can also be used to make medicine, food like noodles, paper, and other items. There are about 5,600 species of bamboo, each used in different ways.
He highlights that in his production, he focuses on two unique products that are not found elsewhere, even where bamboo is used. The first is bamboo bottles used to store castor oil.
He developed this product as a solution to the problem of plastic pollution, which harms the environment. The second unique product he makes is a waste bin for offices.
If you look closely, you will notice that many office bins are made of plastic. This highlights the need for innovations that protect the environment. He addressed this issue by creating eco-friendly alternatives, as he emphasizes.
Tuyishimire shared that during the training, they were taught how to make these products by hand, even in the absence of technological machines. He affirms that his standard of living has improved since entering the bamboo weaving and carpentry industry.
His entrepreneurial journey started with only a few clients and three employees in Kigali. The growth of his business led to the opening of a new branch in Musanze District, and his workforce has increased to 14 employees.
He dreams of expanding his business and making it well-known both in Rwanda and abroad by capitalizing on bamboo’s potential and raising awareness about it.
Tuyishimire draws inspiration from the words of the Chinese entrepreneur Jack Ma Yun, offering advice to his peers and others seeking success.
He says, “The reason young people don’t progress is that they get tired of failure. They give up just when they’re about to reap the rewards.”
