Kathia Gretta Iradukunda graduated from the Light University of Bujumbura in Public Health. After winning the Boss Lady Challenge competition organized by Econet Wireless, Kathia Gretta Iradukunda made her way into entrepreneurship. She implemented her own company Hycinth Art House and she became fully involved in transforming water hyacinth into various products such as placemats, baskets, desk organizers, vases. She plans also to produce chairs and tables from that water hyacinth.

Kathia Gretta Iradukunda had the idea of ​​starting her own business since 2019. But she didn’t want to reveal it to anyone. She had only told one of her friends about it. In December 2019, when Buja Hub organized the first edition of the Women Entrepreneurs Circle, she thought it was a training. But when the session begins and started presentation with what each participant does, she had to reveal her entrepreneurial idea. “I was afraid for I had not yet started. But I dared to share my idea for the first time,” she says.

From water hyacinth to entrepreneurial opportunity

Passionate about entrepreneurship, Kathia Gretta participated in training on entrepreneurship and leadership when she was still a student in Public Health at the Light University of Bujumbura. That’s how she found herself in Burundi Awaken Youth WhatsApp group where they shared ideas about entrepreneurship. “One day, one of the group members explained how to make sanitary pads from water hyacinth. I was blown away by how useful a noxious plant was. I started doing research. I couldn’t find anything about sanitary pads. However, I discovered that it can be used to weave. Then, I started like that,” she reveals.

In March 2020, Kathia Gretta will be lucky to participate in the Boss Lady Challenge competition organized by Econet Wireless and won BIF 2,500,000. “This helped me to create my company Hyacinth Art House which focuses on the transformation of water hyacinth into different items. My main objective is to contribute to the protection of rivers and lakes, in particular Lake Tanganyika, since the water hyacinth is very harmful and proliferating. If we let it multiply without providing solutions, we will wake up when it will be too late,” she says.

Although she got started, Kathia Gretta faced quite a few challenges, especially the lack of local artisans who could weave the water hyacinth. “I was even fooled twice. I placed an order against payment of a deposit but the order was never placed made. This is how I decided to work in collaboration with well-organized cooperatives”.

“Today, I mainly work with a cooperative in Bubanza. But, here too, we come up against the cramped space for drying. Fortunately, I had the support of environmental activist Albert Mbonerane and the committee of the “Cercle Hyppique” of Bujumbura who lent me a large space.”

Now, a pride!

At first, it was complicated for Kathia Gretta, but now she is proud. “There is a great change. Previously, my business had not yet garnered fruits and the beauty of the finished products was not there. No marketable prototype had yet been found. But now we are there,” she rejoices.

Kathia Gretta’s company produces placemats, baskets, desk organizers, vases and soon chairs, tables. Most of its clients are young people and especially Burundians living abroad. “We also hope to interest hotels, decoration houses, businesses, etc. », she adds.

Kathia Gretta advises young people, especially girls, to train in entrepreneurship by participating in exchanges to benefit from the experience of others. “In addition, you must share your idea without being ashamed to express your problems. This is how you will find people who can support you. Finally, you have to participate in competitions because this allows you to mature your ideas. Above all, never give up, never get discouraged. »

The Hyacinth Art House company is located within the Bujumbura equestrian club.

For more information

Second child in a family of five children including three daughters and two sons, Kathia Gretta Iradukunda was born and raised in the commune of Gitega. She studied at the International School of Gitega before continuing her studies in public health at the Lumière University in Bujumbura. She was part of the UNICEF Burundi child journalists program. Among her favorite extracurricular activities were traditional dance and choir. She is now an eco-entrepreneur. She is also a social entrepreneur in the field of protection and promotion of children’s rights.