Sewing his way out of poverty
Having grown up from a humble background, Francois has firsthand experience of lack of basic needs due to poverty. He singlehandedly struggled his way through university with the hope of a job and better future and a life of financial independence.
“Before engaging in the project, I was suffering from adverse poverty both at home and at an individual level. Even at campus, I struggled because I put myself through school without anyone's help. I was motivated by my career in community development and hoped to be self-reliant,” he recalls.
His life changed for the better when he learnt about the Discover, Develop, Deploy (3D) Program implemented by CMS-Africa through the Anglican Church in Burundi, specifically in Makamba diocese close to where he stays.
Francois together with other 29 youths, were equipped with skills related to discovering one’s talents and gifts, holistic personal development, stewardship, goal setting, entrepreneurship, understanding work, leadership among others.
“From the trainings, the most important topic was for me was realizing that I am capable of doing anything. The trainings opened my mind and I later went ahead to implement what I had learnt. Now, I actively seek opportunities to invest in various sectors that can generate income,” he gleams with hope.
The trainings encouraged the youths to view any form of work as a blessing that should glorify God, benefit them, and contribute to restoring God’s creation.
“Reverand Jeff gave us an example of a man who was selling fruits from door to door. That the man could move asking whether there was anyone who needed to buy fruits. From that approach, he got many clients! This inspired me a lot and went ahead and bought a sewing machine in February 2024 using my little savings. I adopted the same approach, going from home to home, asking if people needed clothes sewn. I got many clients!” he says with a wide smile.
On his first day, Francois secured five clients, earning 23,000 Burundian Francs (about $8). This motivated him to pursue tailoring as a viable livelihood. Having watched his father sew while growing up, Francois found it easy to develop a plan. After conducting a personal SWOT analysis, he discovered that sewing was a skill he could quickly master. Focusing on his strengths and opportunities, he organized a group of 30 youths in his community.
“Using my knowledge of goal setting, vision development, and my studies in community development, we formed a self-help savings group. Each member agreed to save at least 1,000 Burundian Francs weekly, with some saving up to 10,000 Francs,” he explains.
On the first day, group members saved 34,000 Burundian Francs ($11.8), but it grew to more than 500,000 Burundian Francs ($173.4) in a few months, thanks to the power of numbers. He got a loan of 200,000 Burundian Francs ($69.3) from the group savings which he used to buy his first sewing machine in January 2024. Within a period of three months, Francois had paid back his loan with 10% interest. His finances grew as his clientele increased, which encouraged him to diversify his income sources by buying food produce from the village and selling in town at a good profit. By May 2024, Francois had bought a second sewing machine, employing another youth whom he has trained along with other three people.
“Currently, I earn about 150,000 Burundian Francs (about $52) per machine monthly, totaling 300,000 Francs (about $104) after expenses like rent, worker’s wages, and transport. I reinvest all my profits into assets like the two goats and two pigs I’ve bought, which will generate more income. I’m also learning about meat processing to supply supermarkets,” he beams with optimism.
With his growing income, Francois was able to buy a smartphone, which has improved communication with his fiancée. His nutrition has also improved, as he no longer skips meals due to lack of finances.
Francois advises that it is important for one to develop and action plan starting with his/ her own vision whilst looking around for existing opportunities in the community. He further notes that while implementing the action plan, one should avoid being fearful by not focusing on their weaknesses or threats but instead focusing on their strengths.
Asked about what his hopes are for the future, Francois shared, “My goal is to see that I will never be a beggar. I have to depend on myself and not on others. I want to see that in future, my children are better off. Be taught from good schools.”
Francois also hopes to participate in future trainings, particularly the F4 program, which he refers to as being for ‘older people.’