At 36, Ismail Sibomana seems to be again on the darkest chapter of his life not with disgrace, however with objective.
A husband and father of two, Sibomana as soon as discovered himself separated from his household, battling drug dependancy and residing on the streets of Kigali.
At present, he runs two carpentry workshops, employs former graduates of the Iwawa Rehabilitation and Vocational Abilities Growth Centre, and helps others rebuild their lives via significant work.
His story is one in every of resilience, displaying how rehabilitation, abilities coaching and dedication can flip lives round.
From electronics to dependancy
Earlier than medication disrupted his life, Sibomana labored in electronics and had a steady supply of earnings. His future appeared promising till he started spending time with a bunch of younger individuals who used medication.
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“At first, I used to be doing work associated to electronics, however later I met younger individuals who had been utilizing medication. They launched us to that atmosphere,” he recollects.
What began with hashish, cigarettes and alcohol steadily escalated into dependancy. As his dependence grew, so did its influence on each facet of his life.
“We began with hashish, cigarettes, alcohol and different substances. Slowly, the life I had constructed started to disintegrate.”
His work suffered, relationships along with his household deteriorated, and finally he misplaced every little thing that had as soon as given him stability. With nowhere else to show, he discovered himself residing on the streets.
In 2014, authorities transferred him to the Kigali Rehabilitation Transit Centre (KRTC), generally generally known as Kwa Kabuga, earlier than he was admitted to the Iwawa Rehabilitation and Vocational Abilities Growth Centre. It was there that his journey in direction of restoration actually started.
Greater than overcoming dependancy
For Sibomana, rehabilitation at Iwawa concerned way over merely stopping drug use.
The programme started with counselling, reflection and serving to members rebuild their mindset earlier than introducing vocational coaching designed to arrange them for impartial residing.
“We first needed to take away ourselves from the medication and be counselled. They provide help to perceive that there’s one other life you’ll be able to reside,” he says.
“After that, you start studying a occupation as a result of the aim is not only to cease utilizing medication, however to depart with abilities that may provide help to survive.”
After finishing rehabilitation, Sibomana first skilled in tailoring earlier than later creating carpentry abilities that may turn into the cornerstone of his future enterprise.
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Beginning over was the toughest half
Graduating from rehabilitation didn’t robotically clear up his issues.
Like many former rehabilitation beneficiaries, Sibomana struggled to regain the belief of his neighborhood, reconnect with society and entry alternatives to earn a residing.
“Once we depart rehabilitation, we return with abilities and the dedication to alter our lives,” he explains.
“However beginning over just isn’t at all times simple, particularly after we lack the property or ensures that lenders typically require. We perceive these necessities, however we additionally want alternatives to show that we are able to work, repay and construct a future for ourselves.”
As a substitute of giving up, he determined to start with no matter alternative he may discover.
One acquaintance provided him an previous tv to restore and promote.
Sibomana mounted it, bought it for round Rwf50,000 and used the cash to buy a small machine that enabled him to renew working.
That modest funding marked a turning level.
As he slowly rebuilt his confidence, he additionally started talking brazenly to younger folks in regards to the risks of substance abuse, utilizing his personal expertise as proof that restoration is feasible.
“I began telling folks that this life doesn’t assist anybody. I confirmed them the implications I had skilled and inspired them to search out one other means,” he says.
Constructing a enterprise with a objective
In 2020, Sibomana expanded into carpentry and established a workshop the place he labored alongside fellow rehabilitation graduates.
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At present, he operates two workshops, one in Busanza, Kanombe, and one other in Rwezamenyo, Nyarugenge District. Collectively, the workshops produce chairs, beds and different handcrafted furnishings whereas offering steady employment to folks rebuilding their lives after dependancy.
For Sibomana, the enterprise is about far more than making furnishings.
He at present employs 15 former Iwawa graduates, giving them a possibility to place their vocational abilities into apply, earn an earnings and stay centered on their restoration.
Throughout a go to to his Busanza workshop, the sound of saws and hammers fills the workspace as craftsmen rigorously form timber into completed merchandise. Working alongside Sibomana are Muhawimana, 22, and Gasangwa, 21, each former Iwawa graduates decided to construct higher futures.
“They have already got the talents. What lots of them want after rehabilitation is a chance to make use of these abilities,” Sibomana says.
“When somebody is working, incomes an earnings and supporting their household, they achieve confidence and steer clear of environments that would lead them again to medication.”
His resolution to rent former rehabilitation graduates comes from private expertise.
“I do know what occurs when somebody returns and doesn’t discover assist. They will simply return to the identical locations and individuals who influenced them earlier than.
“That’s the reason I made a decision to create a spot the place they’ll work, study and encourage one another.”
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Rebuilding lives collectively
Muhawimana says he was launched to medication by folks he believed had been his associates earlier than finally ending up on the streets.
In 2019, he was taken to Iwawa, the place rehabilitation helped him perceive his state of affairs and start making higher choices.
“Whenever you first arrive, it isn’t simple. However you begin assembly others, speaking collectively and understanding that you’re not alone. You realise that this can be a place the place you’ll be able to change,” he says.
After leaving rehabilitation, he hesitated to return residence as a result of he feared his household wouldn’t imagine he had modified. As a substitute, somebody gave him a possibility to work, permitting him to rebuild his confidence.
At present, he hopes to proceed rising professionally till he can assist himself and finally assist others going through related struggles.
Gasangwa, 21, shares the same story. He says drug use robbed him of focus and ambition earlier than rehabilitation helped him rediscover his potential.
“If you end up utilizing medication, you cease eager about your future. You lose time and vitality that you might use to construct your self,” he says.
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At Iwawa, he gained sensible abilities and a brand new outlook on life.
“I began seeing worth in studying and dealing. I realised that I had information and skills that would assist me transfer ahead.”
Restoration wants assist
Drawing from his personal expertise, Sibomana believes drug dependancy impacts folks from each social and financial background.
“The explanations folks enter drug use are completely different. Some are influenced by associates, some come from household issues and others face challenges that push them into the streets,” he says.
“Drug dependancy doesn’t select whether or not somebody comes from a wealthy or poor household. It impacts folks as human beings.”
He additionally believes households have an important position to play by sustaining communication and supporting family members earlier than issues escalate.
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“Mother and father want to speak with their youngsters and perceive what they’re going via. Many issues start when folks cease speaking.”
For Sibomana, rehabilitation ought to by no means be seen as punishment however as a possibility for transformation.
“Typically folks suppose somebody who went to rehabilitation can not change, however that’s not true. An individual could make errors and nonetheless turn into helpful to society.”
Wanting forward
Sibomana's ambition is to broaden his workshops and create employment alternatives for a lot of extra younger folks recovering from dependancy.
He hopes to develop past the 15 former graduates he at present employs, proving that rehabilitation succeeds when it’s adopted by alternative and neighborhood assist.
“I are not looking for this undertaking to finish right here. I would like it to develop in order that extra folks can get alternatives,” he says.
He additionally hopes to alter public perceptions of people that have struggled with dependancy.
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“Individuals who depart rehabilitation usually are not ineffective. They’ve abilities, they’ve potential, they usually can contribute to the nation's improvement if they’re given an opportunity.”
At present, each chair, mattress and desk produced in his workshops represents greater than craftsmanship. For Sibomana, every bit is a reminder that restoration is feasible, that abilities can restore dignity, and that an individual's previous doesn’t must outline their future.
By way of carpentry, he has rebuilt not solely his personal life however can be serving to others discover the identical second probability.
