Carpentry is an unusual job for a woman but Rahima Gachoki was creative, good with her hands and always liked nice wooden furniture.
The granddaughter of a carpenter, she loved the feel, the contours and and colours of wood. She wondered how the tables and chairs and beds were put together.
Although she earned degrees in psychology and sociology from the University of Nairobi, life took her in a different direction. She decided to become an artisan.
Rahima learned, she wielded a tape measure, hammer and saw. She learned to operate a lathe. She was able to craft her own tables and chairs. Well-made, sturdy and attractive, not crude and slap-dash, like a lot of furniture.
Today, at age 36, she is managing director of Farmal General Merchants in Karen along Lang'ata Road, Nairobi. She employs 43 people, mostly young men.
She also has two children.
The biggest challenge is male chauvinism. Most clients and my employees are men and it’s hard for them to come to terms with the fact that I am in this position.
“When I was young, I would see a bed or other wooden furniture and I wanted to know how it was done. That’s how I began,” she told the Star in an interview at her office.
Rahima has fond memories of her grandfather in Nyeri, who was a carpenter. That sparked her interest in craftsmanship and woodworking.
“My grandmother would take pride in the house she lived in because it was built by my grandfather," she said.
When she started her company, Farmal General Merchants, nine years ago, she didn't have much capital. She did have a lot of challenges, like most start-ups.
“It was tough starting out but I was passionate. It was also a male-dominated industry.
“Even today it’s still tough for a woman. The biggest challenge I face is male chauvinism. Most of my clients and my employees are men and it’s hard for them to come to terms with the fact that I am in this position,” she added.
She had to fight her way past prejudice and earn the respect of her employees, clients and the community around her.
I don’t believe the only people who will succeed are those with white-collar jobs. You can succeed in any field, with or without university.
Today, Rahima said, Farmal General Merchants is a pillar of the community and employs 43 people, most of them young men.
The company offers internships and helps student artisans to complete their industrial training.
Her company was contracted by the government for the Economic Stimulus Programme that made desks for classrooms before schools reopened in January.
"That is one of many projects we are proud to have been a part of," Rahima said.
The company played a part in the standard gauge railway and supplied timber for remodelling Parliament Buildings.
“Although we are starting to use social media to market our products, we mostly rely on word of mouth to get our clients,” she said.
“We always let our product sell itself. We aim to satisfy customers so they can refer us to potential clients.
Rahima hopes in the next three years to expand and open more branches across the country, creating more jobs.
She advised young women not to be picky about jobs just because they are perceived as "men's jobs".
“No job is made for men or women alone. Whatever you put your mind to, be it nursing, carpentry, or even cookery, just go for it,” she said.
She urged young men to keep an open mind about job opportunities, no matter how odd they might seem.
“I don’t believe the only people who will succeed in this world are those with white-collar jobs. You can succeed in any field, with or without university.
"You can start a business or look for alternative jobs. Just don’t give up,” Rahima said.
(Edited by V. Graham)
