The morning sun rises gently over the hills of the Karongi District in Rwanda. Alongside the sounds of roosters crowing and children hurrying off to school, the rhythmic thud of a hammer echoes from a workshop. Inside, a young woman bends over a plank of timber, her hands steady and eyes focused.
This is the dream Esther has fought for. In her community, carpentry is seen as a job only for men. But despite the challenges, Esther, 19, is rewriting the story of what it means to be a young resilient woman in Rwanda. She’s a female carpenter.
A Challenge Accepted: Esther Rises Above
“Carpentry is heavy work. It is for men. You should think of something else.” — Jean de Dieu, Esther’s father
Esther’s journey didn’t begin with encouragement but with resistance. Her father, a farmer who had spent years working the land, believed carpentry was no place for a girl.
But Esther’s heart was set. She had watched carpenters in her village shaping wood into cupboards, tables and doors. She admired the way they transformed raw timber into something useful, lasting and beautiful. And Esther wanted to do the same.
Resistance wasn’t the only challenge. Living in poverty with eight other children, Esther’s parents often struggled to make ends meet. Carpentry equipment and training were far too expensive for them to ever afford. However, at her local Compassion center, Esther had been learning basic carpentry skills, fueling her passion.
Esther begged her father to allow her to continue learning the craft. She knew she could be successful. One day, he gave her a pile of wood. “Make a cupboard with no help from anyone,” he said. “If you can do that, maybe I will believe you.”
Esther accepted the challenge with determination. For days, she labored alone. She measured carefully, cut with precision and nailed each piece together, smoothing and sanding as she went. Her hands blistered and her arms ached, but she refused to give up.
Neighbors passed by, some laughing, others shaking their heads. “A girl with a hammer?” they whispered. “She will fail.”
Esther pressed on, working late into the night, her small lamp casting shadows across the unfinished cupboard. Each strike of the hammer was a small show of defiance, resilience and hope. After a week of sweat and persistence, the cupboard stood tall, functional and surprisingly elegant.
Her father ran his hand across the smooth surface. He opened the doors, stood in silence and smiled.
“From the day she proved me wrong, I promised to always support her craft. I recommend her to anyone who wants any piece of furniture.” — Jean de Dieu
Esther’s father, once a skeptic, is now her strongest supporter. “I used to think carpentry was only for men,” he admits.
“But Esther has taught me that courage has no gender.” — Jean de Dieu
A Successful Female Carpenter Fighting Poverty
Soon after Esther built her family’s cupboard, orders for furniture began trickling in from neighbors and the surrounding community.
With training and woodworking equipment supplied by her Compassion center, Esther began fulfilling orders. And as those orders grew, so did her income. She began earning enough to help support her household.
Her siblings’ school fees are now paid on time. Food is more plentiful at home. Her mother, who had once worried about how to make ends meet, now smiles with relief.
“Esther is not just my daughter; she is my partner in providing for this family.” — Thamar, Esther’s mother
“My daughter is now an exemplary figure in our community. Other mothers consult me about how their daughters can learn carpentry. I’m grateful to Compassion for supporting my daughter and for buying her the carpentry equipment. She is earning an income thanks to them. We couldn’t afford these things.”
Thamar is even more excited about her daughter pursuing a university education, which Esther could never have afforded without her carpentry business.
“I’m pursuing a degree in marketing at the University of Kigali. After work, on Friday, I travel to Kigali to study during the weekend.” — Esther
Esther is the sixth of nine children. In addition to covering her own university tuition, she also supports her parents by paying her younger siblings’ school fees.
For Esther, every piece of furniture she builds is one more step toward security and independence in the future. Already a successful female carpenter, she can clearly see a bright future ahead, one without the constraints of poverty.
Inspiring Other Resilient Women in the Community
Esther’s journey has been far from easy. In Karongi, carpentry remains a male-dominated trade. Despite her talent and hard work, limiting gender roles and stereotypes still invite discouragement from others.
“There are times people laugh at me. They say I’m wasting my time. But I told myself that I need to prove them wrong. I’m the only girl in our workshop, but they respect me because my work ethic is excellent.” — Esther
Esther’s persistence and resilience are slowly changing minds, especially among the younger generations. Girls from her neighborhood stop by the workshop to watch with fascination as she works. Some even ask to learn. And nothing pleases Esther more than breaking the taboo by sharing her hard-won knowledge.
“I want them to see that it is possible. If I can do it, they can too.” — Esther
Esther’s dream doesn’t stop with her. She envisions a larger workshop, one where she can train other young women in carpentry.
“I want to create a space where girls can learn without fear. A place where they can pick up tools and know they belong.” — Esther
When asked what keeps her going, Esther’s answer is simple yet profound: “Every time I make a piece of furniture, I remind myself that I am not just building furniture. I am building a future for myself, my family and the girls who will come after me. I’m breaking a stereotype.”
Mugiraneza, Esther’s Compassion center director, is proud that Esther is a role model in her community and that more young women are following in her footsteps. There’s a new sense of possibility in their plans for the future — a new light shining in their eyes.
“We have girls who want to do carpentry thanks to Esther. She is inspiring many girls, and we are happy we played a part in boosting her craft.” — Mugiraneza
Esther’s hammer continues to strike, and every day she’s joined by others who realize that courage can dismantle barriers, determination can reshape destinies and a young resilient woman with a dream can change her world.
Education Through Compassion: Inspiring Resiliency in Children
Education unlocks possibilities, and that’s especially true for children in poverty. With an education, children can obtain the skills they need to grow into resilient, thriving adults equipped to leave poverty behind.
Sadly, many barriers stand between an impoverished child and their education. For example, when families don’t make enough to cover all their needs, those required for basic survival, like food, must come first. Uniforms and school supplies are luxuries many families can’t afford.
Some children may be forced to work to help families provide instead of going to school. And others may lack medical care for illnesses, keeping them sick and at home.
In many regions in Africa, harmful gender roles and stereotypes also keep children from learning, especially girls. Many girls are tasked with fetching safe water for families instead of going to class. Others are told education isn’t worth it, as the norm is for them to marry before adulthood and have children.
Breaking Down the Barriers
At Compassion International, we take education seriously. In partnership with local churches around the world, we break down the barriers stopping children from receiving educations.
Through child sponsorship, we care for the immediate needs of children by giving them the resources they need to thrive, from nutritious food to medical care. With these needs met, they’re free to go to school and develop their gifts.
We ensure every child in our program has what they need to get a quality education, from tuition and tutoring to school supplies and vocational training.
We champion girls and young women, ensuring they have the tools, encouragement and confidence they need to attend school, be equipped for their giftings and live out the callings God has for them.
Most importantly, we point all children to the hope found in Jesus, inspiring them to know their immeasurable worth and see beyond their circumstances into a brighter future.
The cupboard that Esther built still stands in her family’s home, filled with plates and cups. But it also holds the story of a young woman who refused to be confined by tradition. You can inspire other children to be like Esther too by giving to Compassion’s Education fund.
