Meet our Rwandan candidate, Sandrine Umuhoza, owner of Greatest Carpentry Interior Home Design, LTD. She holds an advanced diploma in civil engineering and is now pursuing a bachelor’s degree in architectural design.
Sandrine is the eldest of three children. Her family fled to the Congo during the Rwanda genocide after she lost her father to the war. They were to later return to Rwanda where her mother was forced to lead the household. Sandrine remembers running home after school and taking odd jobs to help her mother meet the family’s needs.
While many of Sandrine’s friends resorted to early marriages or reckless behavior, Sandrine defied the conventional and continued with an advanced education. At a young age, she knew a career in carpentry would best suit her skills and desires. It took some convincing, but her secondary school was to bestow Sandrine with the honor of entering the male-dominated major of construction and public works.
In her fourth year of business, Sandrine still faces many challenges. Getting the men of the trade to take her seriously is not an easy endeavor. She has had to cope with vendors who expect her to prove herself in an industry that is accustomed to dealing with only males. But Sandrine is determined to go far with her business. As she puts it, “I think what motivates me the most is the love and passion I have of what I do.”
Sandrine’s greatest motivating factor is her clients. Satisfying customers is the company’s number one priority. Her high point is building a beautiful piece of furniture to the client’s satisfaction.
Sandrine is working diligently to set a good example for the women of Rwanda. She wants them to know that they, too, can pursue their dreams. Through her business and work, Sandrine is determined to break the gender taboos that continue to afflict Rwanda.
“I have goals and visions that will show men and my neighborhood that women can succeed in a male-dominated industry.”
Sandrine wants to motivate women by serving as a mentor and campaigning for social and economic empowerment. She dreams of launching a “women-tech vocational training school” to help the women of Rwanda achieve their goals.
Through IEEW, she strives to learn new skills through its Leadership Development Program that will help her win the respect of the male carpenters within her industry. The networking opportunity IEEW offers will give her the exposure she needs to help her business grow.
In the end, Sandrine wishes to document her experiences as an example for the women of Rwanda. She wishes to someday “tell a remarkable story of courage, strength and determination”. It appears she has started on that path, and we welcome you, Sandrine Umuhoza, as one of IEEW’s distinguished PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS® candidates. We look forward to becoming a part of your journey.
Meet students like Sandrine in July and get a taste of PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS® for yourself! Buy a tax-deductible ticket to 10for10 in Oklahoma City or join us at Summit & Graduation.
