A chance encounter with an Israeli soldier stationed at Kanombe introduced Juvenal Gatorano to the art of leather production. That was in 1965, when the then 18-year-old first tried his hand at making shoes.

Gatorano says the chance encounter with the soldier, one Colonel Baram, who was based at Vase Militaire de Kanombe, turned around his life. Later, the now skilled young man was to start up Atelier de Gatorano, which produces various leather products, including shoes, women handbags, belts, and purses, in Nyamirambo, a Kigali suburb.

Starting out

The elderly entrepreneur says back in the day, he never had high-tech machines and used mostly his hands to do the work. The resident of Gitega Sector in Nyarugenge District says he opened shop with a simple machine and about Rwf160,000.

Gatorano says the firm has, over time, expanded and acquired more machines that enable Atelier de Gatorano to make thousands of leather goods a month. He says the firm’s turnover has since grown to Rwf100 million annually.

"We make quality leather goods for the local market…that’s why we are thrilled by the Made-in-Rwanda campaign because it is supporting our efforts and those of other local producers,” Gatorano points out.

The artisan is seen by many as a top expert on leather production, knowledgeable in leather tannery, designing and production of various leather products, including shoes and belts.

Free-training for street children

As they say, knowledge shared is worth so much. Gatorano, who learnt leather making and tannery from an army officer, one Col Baram, in 1965, has dedicated his 51 years to teaching youth practical skills for self-employment.

"I have trained 120 youth in leather production, mainly orphans and the street children who I train for free. This way, I am helping them gain skills to earn money and be self-reliant,” Gatorano says.

He adds that the young trainees at Atelier de Gatorano get certificates on completing their studies. He explains that the primary goal for the charitable action is to empower disadvantaged children by equipping them with knowledge and skills to improve their livelihoods and become competitive.

"As children are country’s future, if they acquire skills, such as leather production, they will also promote consumption of locally-made goods,” he says.

Aiming to perform regionally

Gatorano says his passion and zeal of promoting Made-in-Rwanda products has paid off as he has visited a number of countries in the region. He has attended different leather products exhibitions in the region, where he learnt new skills that have helped improve his operations.

"With the help of the government, I attended training workshop on technical and creative design of leather footwear and leather goods at Mombasa Continental Resort in Kenya,” he says.

Gatorano adds that he went to Niger in 1996 to train in leather production, which enabled him to make innovative leather products. Currently, Gatorano attends various leather products exhibitions in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. Last year, he attended the Commonwealth and COMESA leather products workshop, which mooted plans to establish a regional design studio for leather footwear and leather goods in Kigali. The father of seven employs 15 workers and his company produces 3,000 belts, and up to 1,000 shoes on a daily basis.

Challenges

The Rwanda leather sector is growing, but it still faces numerous challenges, including lack of raw materials, which affects our production capacity. He says they import some of the materials from Kenya.

What trainees, employees say

Christophe Nzabandora, a 23 year-old former apprentice at Gatorano, says he has gotten a better job, thanks to the free leather production training at the firm.

"I completed lower secondary studies in 2010, but was not able to continue with my studies due to lack of money. Later, I joined Gatorano, where I have trained in leather making for one year and a half. Now, I am an expert in tannery, which is very marketable on the labour market,” Nzabandora explains.

For Immaculate Nikuze, 23, the six-month training in leather production at Gatorano has been a life-transforming experience. Born in Ngororero District, Nikuze was previously tilling the family’s small piece of land to earn a living.

"I dropped out of school after completing P7 in 2007 due to lack of fees. So, I was engaged in crop production for the next seven years. Early this year, I got a chance and was admitted at Gatorano workshop and trained to produce leather shoes for women. I am now able to cater for all my basic needs,” Nikuze says.

Patrick Muhire, 20, has been an apprentice at Gatorano for the past three years. He says he used to live on the street in Muhanga town.

"My life has changed for the better, thanks to skills acquired from Gatorano workshop. The firm has taught me to think big and work hard. The shoe-making skills I have learnt from here have given me a hope for the better future,” says the former street child. Muhire adds that their leather products can compete with the best in any market.

Clients speak out

Jovin Rwakayiro

Gatorano workshop promotes consumption of locally-made goods, which has helped change wrong mentality that our products are of poor quality. It has broken the old stereotype, where men used to say that the best shoes are made in Italy. I realised how Made-in-Rwanda footwear are the better because of the firm and its promoters.

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Mutoniwase Clarisse, university student

Gatorano’s firm makes quality shoes…in fact, the shoes have good designs that I was wooed to buy a pair of shoes that I have been using for two years now. I am impressed by the fact that they teach us to value home-made products.