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Meet Eliane, affectionately known as Madame Bigoudis within her community in Busiga commune, Ngozi province, Burundi. Hers is a story of resilience and empowerment. Married young at 22, her aspirations for a brighter future seemed to vanish when she left traditional schooling behind. This decision led to a harsh reality, including domestic violence and the burden of extreme poverty that threatened her and her young family.
However, a spark of hope emerged during a church service when Eliane learned about a training opportunity offered by Swisscontact at the Trades Education Center in the Mihigo zone. Seizing this chance, she applied and was successfully accepted into the Initial Professional Training (FIP) programme, specialising in mixed hairstyles.
Following a rigorous three-month training period at Chez Apollinaire salon, Eliane was equipped with not only hairstyling skills but also valuable entrepreneurial knowledge. Determined to pursue her dream, she embarked on her entrepreneurial journey.
The initial hurdle was securing capital. Through unwavering determination, Eliane convinced her father to mortgage the family plot, enabling her to secure a microfinance loan of 1 Million Burundian francs. With her husband's newfound support, allowing her to practice at home initially, Eliane launched her home-based salon despite limited equipment.
Today, Eliane's story is one of remarkable success. She now owns a flourishing salon with a team of four employees, actively contributing to her family's well-being.
Eliane has become a beacon of hope, inspiring young girls in Busiga to pursue professional training.
Eliane's active participation in her municipality's artisans' platform further exemplifies her dedication to community development. Her business has even been nominated to train young people in the upcoming FIP sessions in June 2024. With aspirations for expansion and a commitment to giving back, Eliane's story serves as a powerful testament to the transformative impact of Swisscontact's initiatives.