Nkurunziza Muhamed (25 years old) is the Managing Director of the East African Employment and Accommodation. He started the company on 2nd September 2011, after undertaking DOT training at the Kimisagara Youth Centre, where he got guidance for his business idea.

Before undertaking the DOT training, he was a teacher in Nyamirambo, where he taught private candidates and he was earning approximately 70,000 RWF per month. The headmaster of the school closed the school and went for further studies. Muhamed was jobless for 4 months. He met some people in the market near Kimisagara who told him about the training. He visited the centre, searched for additional information and enrolled for the course.

He had a business idea which he discussed with his trainer and brought his dream to fruition: People seeking jobs deposit their documents including photographs, curriculum vitae, an application letter, certificates, identification cards, reference letters, school reports and any other supporting documents they may chose. The person signs a contract with the organisation, and Muhamed then seeks a job for the applicant. The applicant pays 90 USD.

He trains the applicants in customer care (most of his customers seek jobs in the hospitality industry). Muhamed meets with the business owners and managers and markets the applicants. He provides a surety for the applicant’s honesty and diligence. His company is responsible for any losses accrued as result of an applicant’s negligence. . The employer signs a contract with Muhamed’s company, and pays the company the salary, and after keeping his commission, he pays the applicant. The money that the applicant pays covers for any losses that may be incurred.

On average he makes a profit of 600,000 RWF a month – the amount varies depending on what Muhamed is able to negotiate.  His initial investment was 500,000 RWF. He had 200,000 RWF of his own and he took a loan for the balance. He had to obtain a licence from the Rwanda Development Board, a desk, a computer, rent, and stationary. He also employs a secretary and a marketer.

“DOT is the secret for smiling!” He sometimes visits the centre, and also helps some of the graduates find jobs. Other graduates share his enthusiasm and say, “even if I have nothing there is something in me, and I can dream!