How fishing saved Safari from the jaws of poverty

Don’t give me fish to eat for just today, but teach me how to fish, so that tomorrow I don’t come back to beg for fish. This is the story of Thomas Safari a resident of Karongi District in Western province, who has turned his passion of fishing into a cash cow. Safari has been in the fishing trade for the last 45 years and says hard work and courage to overcome his fears helped him achieve his dream. His next plan is to join the export industry and establishing a fish processing plant in Western Province The 65-year-old fisherman does not regret the 45 years he has spent in water fishing. He does not only command a strong reputation but has also become a source of inspiration to many fishermen living on the shores of Lake Kivu. His capacity and skill to navigate Lake Kivu has turned the fisherman into a re-known entrepreneur in western province. And what as a mere dream for Safari has now become a profession, many now flock his home to be oriented on how this historical economic activity can be perfected. Though he has never had a chance to look at the blackboard, Safari has moved from using a simple canoe to a fleet of boats on Lake Kivu. How he started Like many fishermen, Safari’s background is defined by nothing but fishing. From his great grand parents to his parents, fishing is what defines safari’s lineage. “It is an activity that has been practiced for hundreds of years by my family members, so what I’m doing is a continuation of what is in our lineage,” says Safari The desire to learn more and master how fishing was done was heightened by the death of his parents in 1968. Left with no one, safari had to work hard and ensure continuity of what had become a family business. “The idea was to be able to build on the skills and knowledge which my parents had given me before passing away,” says Safari. “While my colleagues went to school to learn how to read and write, I was instead on the boat bettering my fishing skills,” says the seasoned fisher man. He realized that defying his fears was the only way to earn a living. As a teenager he was always in the company of those that were more experienced and had knowledge on how the business was conducted. Indeed, he has never done any other job in his life other than this. Safari is a happily married man, with 14 children, some of whom are in university; all courtesy of their father’s fishing trade. “This job has helped me see all my children through school. I spend the nights fishing, and then in the morning I go to the market to sell the catch. Some of my children completed school and now hold good jobs, some are teachers and others are doctors.” Challenges Like many fishermen, Safari says the main challenge that threatens the growth of the industry is limited access to finance. “Many financial institutions still look at the sector as a risky business and therefore are not willing to increase credit to the sector.” Climate change is yet another nightmare Safari has had to deal with. He says the number of fish in the lake has reduced due to the effects of climate change.This is despite the increased demand of fish, he explains. Achievements The father of 14 has managed to see all his children go to school in addition to giving them a decent lively hood. He has since diversified into other business ventures including farming. He is also employs over 15 people. Future plans Safari’s future dream is to join the export industry and begin exporting to regional markets.He also dreams of establishing a fish processing plant in Western Province. Advice Safari advises the youth to stop despising jobs and work hard to become useful business@newtimes.co.rw

News

How fishing saved Safari from the jaws of poverty