As in-country class gets underway for the 2016 PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS® students in Rwanda & Afghanistan, we continue to be in awe of what each woman brings to the table as well as what each has had to overcome in their home countries.
Sandrine Umuhoza lost her father in the 1994 genocide. As the first born of three children, it was up to her to step up to the plate and help her mother support her family, “almost an impossible task” as she describes it. Sandrine credits her rare secondary school education for helping her achieve her dream of starting her own company. While most of her contemporaries fell by the wayside due to early marriage required by circumstances in their war torn region, her education gave her the boost she needed.
Sandrine founded Greatest Carpentry Interior Home Design three years ago in order to sell beautiful, one-of-a-kind furniture creations to her fellow Rwandans. In her application to the program, Sandine wrote, “The society I was raised in never allowed girls to attend higher institutions of learning, let alone furniture making. It was reserved for males only, so therefore it hasn’t been easy sailing for me. My untiring resolve and determination is what enabled me to continue.”
Sandrine really values the Pay It Forward aspect of the PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS® mission. She hopes to one day open a training center for women to help empower others like her to succeed in business. We can’t wait to see what Sandrine achieves during her time with the program this year….and beyond!
