Burundi faces a problem of increased youth unemployment. In this logic of things, some young people manage to show off their talents and bring innovations. This is the case of Zabulon Bucumi, a young university teacher who, alongside his job, has set up his own sewing workshop. The Burundi Eco newspaper handed the microphone to this young man invested in fashion.
Ambitious young people can always change their lives, develop themselves and contribute to the well-being of their families. (Photo: AKEZA)
Like any youngster, Bucumi is driven by a spirit of succeeding in life at all costs. With a Master’s degree in Mathematics in his pocket, this young university teacher now markets made in Burundi shirts made in his own workshop. “Working as an employee is a good thing, but you always have to aim for your own empowerment”, he reacts to the question of knowing the source of his inspiration.
Rather, he claims to have drawn his inspiration from documentary research. He quotes in particular the book entitled “Quadrant du Cashflow” by the American Robert Kiosaki which would have ignited in him the flame of entrepreneur. He will also have been encouraged by youth awareness campaigns on entrepreneurship brandished as the spearhead of the national policy for the empowerment of Burundian youth.
In carrying out his project, Bucumi faced challenges like any young entrepreneur. Funds failed him. Today, he affirms that the PAEEJ and the BIJE enabled him to take up this challenge. However, this budding entrepreneur says insufficient energy supply remains an obstacle for start-ups.
Innovation, the art of finding a solution to a social need
Before launching, Zabulon Bucumi claims to have carefully studied the sales market for its shirts. For him, it was first necessary to find a field where he could showcase his talent. In order to provide Burundians with quality shirts, this designer imports fabrics which he uses to sew the shirts according to the desired models.
Asked about the contribution of his company compared to the services offered by other people engaged in sewing, Bucumi wanted to be reassuring. “Our mission is to produce a lot and sell wholesale, but according to international standards,” he explains. Thus, traders will be able to stock up on the local market with products of the same quality as those imported from outside.
Young winners from secondary schools and universities had to see further
“It is difficult for young people who have just finished their studies to embark on entrepreneurship”, indicates the young entrepreneur teacher. For him, embarking on entrepreneurship requires having knowledge of financial education. This, while this kind of course does not appear in all teaching programs. But he reminds young people that studies allow individuals to train and extend their field of research in other sectors of socio-economic life.
For him, hope is still there. Ambitious young people can always change their lives, develop themselves and develop their families. He calls on them to take time to think about their life, their future and to set their goals in order to make better decisions. He advises those who want to embark on entrepreneurship to document themselves in order to acquire the knowledge that will allow them to undertake successfully.
In his vision, Bucumi wants to make his company a factory capable of satisfying all the needs of his customers for good quality clothing. He wants his customers to be able in the future to have all kinds of clothes they want, whether from the point of view of sewing, colors or type of fabric.