Repairing electronics and general engineering work has been considered a male preserve by many in Busia County. However, this did not deter 24-year-old Centrine Odorot who is thriving in her career path at Amagoro business centre.
Centrine saw her dream shattered after KCSE exams where she performed dismally and the situation at her family did not allow her to continue with her studies and pursue her dream career of engineering though she had the will.
Driven by passion, she volunteered to work in one of the electronic shops in Malaba town earning Sh4000 a month; however, she prioritised gaining skills over salary.
“After completing my Form 4, in an era where most students scored grade E, I saw my dreams shattered. I was no exception though I always wanted to be an engineer,” narrated Odorot.
“As a firstborn, I had a lot of pressure to give direction to my siblings despite generating a few coins to support my parents owing to the fact that our lives were hand to mouth,” she added.
After two years serving at the electronic shop, she had grasped skills in phone repair which she had passion for and slowly she was winning the trust of her boss and customers who visited the shop due to the quality of her work.
The desire to start her own business was tempting despite her being a youthful lady and her newness to the place.
“Confidence building and winning customer trust were hectic but I had to adapt to the environment. I always wanted to see myself as the main technician, ” she added.
Centrine decided to enrol in an online class on craftsmanship certificate in electronic engineering, attributing her previous skills to the boss who was her first trainer and YouTube.
“I spend most of my time on YouTube learning new skills in mobile phone repair and other electronics like televisions and home theatres,” she noted.
She eventually decided to share the idea with her parents and boyfriend who supported her in setting up her own electronic repair shop, which Centrine refers to as her “bread.”
With just a year in her business, she has increased her customer base in this digital era where mobile phones are considered one of the biggest communication modes necessary in any person’s life.
The business has grown to the extent of pushing her to employ one staff member who helps her in daily running of the business and to attain her dreams.
“With the presence of Teso KMTC College at Kocholia and Amagoro VTC, my customer base has increased within six months to the extent of recruiting a trained technician who I pay based on the services she renders,” she added.
Odorot is a common name at Amagoro if one has an issue with his or her smartphone with bodaboda operators now queuing at her shop to install apps for betting and music to entertain their customers.
Maxwell Ekirapa, a regular customer at the shop narrates how Odorot has won the hearts of many who trust the quality of her work despite being a young lady.
“Centrine is an honest and trustworthy person you can entrust your electronics to. She knows how to detect the problem besides giving the best mechanical advice to her customers,” said Ekirapa.
Most of the customers who spoke to KNA indicated that Odorot has always been professional and she is a role model for young ladies within Amagoro.
Just like any other business, Odorot’s business is no exception to common business challenges. Being a lady she is discriminated by male chauvinists who believe this is work meant for men.
Sometimes she faces harassment and some customers bully her unknowingly thinking she is too young to run such a business.
“Some customers can’t trust me with their phones simply because I am a lady. I get other clients who only come to bother me, but I remain professional and driven by my goal,” she narrated.
She still believes that there’s no limit to education as she seeks to join a tertiary institution to gain more knowledge in the field and expand the business.
“I have applied to join Eldoret National Polytechnic to do a course in electronic engineering though I am yet to get enough funds to support my studies alongside my business,” she added.
Centrine has one piece of advice to young girls in Busia; to believe in their dreams as everything is possible if put into practice.
“After what I have achieved, it’s my belief that all dreams are possible if you get the right mindset and people around you to champion your dreams. I always advise young ladies, it’s good to have your own money,” Centrine said.
Her story resonates well with the government’s agenda to eradicate unemployment with handwork, skills and self-employment being prioritised.
By Okodoi Joel and Absalom Namwalo
