Beating the Odds in a Male-Dominated Trade

At just 23 years old, Kobusinge Jenipher from Gatyanga I, Rwimi Town Council in Bunyangabu District is proving that determination can break barriers. Growing up, staying in school was a constant struggle because her family could not consistently afford school fees.

“Before the training, I was in school, but raising school fees was always a challenge. I was in and out of school,” Jenipher recalls.

In 2021, she enrolled in a six-month welding course through the Skill Up! Project implemented by the Joint Effort to Save the Environment (JESE). Choosing welding, a trade traditionally dominated by men, was a bold decision. Alongside technical skills, she also received training in entrepreneurship, customer care, and other essential life skills that prepared her for the workplace.

After completing the training, Jenipher secured employment at Nylx Interiors in Hima, where she gained practical experience and saved enough money to establish her own welding business, Your Choice, Our Produce, in Rwimi Town Council.

Today, her workshop serves not only as a thriving enterprise but also as a learning hub for other young people interested in the trade. She regularly mentors aspiring welders, allowing them to observe her work and gain hands-on experience.

“I always receive community members who want to learn how I make the products I create. I am happy to share my knowledge, and I often take them with me to worksites so they can gain practical experience.”

Jenipher’s journey demonstrates that with the right skills, determination, and opportunity, young women can succeed in any profession, regardless of traditional gender stereotypes.

“You can do anything with the right mindset.”