Mukantwari Claudine is a 21-year-old woman who works in a workshop in Rwamagana, where she beautifies wooden furniture. Examples include beds, chairs, tables, and other items that are painted, varnished, and finished to look attractive when they reach our homes or offices.
She has been working in this workshop for almost three years, having started after completing her secondary education in Electronic Informatics and deciding not to stay idle.
In an interview with KURA, Mukantwari mentioned that after finishing high school, she felt she couldn’t just sit at home. She said she joined the workshop and saw that while the work was physically demanding, she began learning how to beautify the furniture made there.
She said, “I started learning and saw that it wasn’t something that could sustain me day by day, but it was something I could do occasionally. However, as time went by, I realized it was a job that provided me with a lot. For instance, I now earn at least 100,000 Rwandan Francs a month; on a daily basis, I rarely make less than 3,000 Rwandan Francs, and sometimes I earn 5,000 Rwandan Francs or even more.”
Mukantwari noted that beautifying furniture is a job that many people underestimate, even though it is quite profitable.
She explained that for items like beds or chairs, there are people assigned to make them, and then others are responsible for finishing them by painting, varnishing, and applying other finishing touches to make them look good.
She said, “Since I started working here, I’ve been able to buy everything I need without burdening my parents. I even help out at home with various expenses. Now, I don’t need to buy sugar or soap for them, and I also contribute to other household needs with the money I earn here.”
Mukantwari mentioned that one challenge in this work is the embarrassment some workers feel because they have finished their secondary or higher education but still do this job. However, she noted that it earns as much or even more than some professions they trained for.
She encouraged other girls who have finished their education not to sit at home or wait for office jobs. She pointed out that there are many opportunities in workshops that can provide a good income without having to rely on begging for money for personal needs and other various expenses.
She said, “I strongly encourage especially girls to understand that finishing school doesn’t mean you have to stay at home or wait for an office job. There is plenty of work in workshops that can sustain you without waiting for handouts for personal upkeep and other needs.”
Mukantwari is currently pleased with her achievements since starting this job. She has been able to pay for additional studies, contribute to community savings groups, and acquire various assets—all from the work she has been doing for nearly three years.
