This archive report was first published on 7 July 2021.
Esther Karisa: The Young Woman Who Defied Odds to Succeed in Welding ¶
Published on July 7, 2021
Esther Karisa, a 24-year-old woman from Ganze, Kilifi County, has made a name for herself in the male-dominated welding industry, thanks to the Kenya Youth Employment Opportunities Project (KYEOP). Her determination to succeed in life is exceptional, and she has managed to secure good deals, including making double decker beds for Ganze Primary School and windows, grills, and doors at Vitengeni Police Station in Kilifi County.
Esther's story began back in 2017 after completing her secondary school education. She scored a C- mean grade but gave up on her dream to become an accountant as her family was poverty-afflicted. Her mother was a single parent, with no job and could not afford to take her to college, besides, she owed Karisa's former school a one-year fees arrears.
However, Esther did not give up on her dreams. She managed to clear fees debt, collected her certificates, and returned home with no hopes of joining college. Two years later, she got an opportunity at KYEOP that sponsored three courses; mechanic, wiring, and welding. She applied and fortunately got a welding course.
During the training, Esther saved the facilitation money that was being provided by KYEOP and bought her first welding machine. She then worked with her cousin in his workshop for several months following which she saved enough money and opened a workshop, which she named Welded Wonders.
Esther says her first-born brother who had ventured into the same business motivated her to join the males' field. Customers also became a major motivation to her success as they heaped praises on her. They were awed with her boldness and even paid more to promote her business.
However, people in her home village hesitated to contract her as they believed only men could do that kind of work. With time, the villagers got some confidence that even women in Kilifi can also weld metals.
Esther advises the youth to stop being choosy and take up opportunities they get, academic qualification notwithstanding. She remarks, 'Completing form four or university studies does not mean one cannot do manual work, but can be a good stepping stone to achieve what one wants to do in life.'
Esther's success has not gone unnoticed. Her fellow welders have been admiring her ability, and she says they enjoy working with her. She works closely with other welders who she contracts when she could not cope with the huge workload, amidst tight deadlines within which to deliver on given tasks.
During the interview, Esther was alongside Mwagona Mwakwekwe, a welder from Marere village, Kilifi County, whom she had contracted to make doors and a gate. Mwakwewe described her as a very hard-working woman who endured harsh working conditions that even some men were not able to.
Esther's venture has enabled her to meet personal basic needs, supports her family, and she is saving money to enable her enroll for an Accountancy Course on part-time.
