THE OTHER HUNDRED PROJECT (2014)
With the help of an NGO Dieudonne Kwizera was taught how to become a tailor. After some years he got married in Tanzania with his Burundian wife and got five children. In 2012 he decided under pressure from the Tanzanian government to return to Burundi. In the small town of Nyanza Lac where he used to live with his parents, it turned out that a lot of paperwork had to be arranged before settling down. His marriage under Tanzanian law was not recognized by the Burundian government. Therefore also their children were not acknowledged by the law.
Dieudonne Kwizera is a 37 year old Burundian returnee from a Tanzanian refugee camp. After fleeing for the violence in Burundi he lived for 15 years in the camp. It were tough times for him when his mother died and his father decided to go back to Burundi. His father was killed shortly after he returned home over a land owner issue. Dieudonne was left with his only sister in the camp now being responsible for her.
Last year Dieudonne started a small tailor shop specialized in shirts and suits. Together with three other returnees he now runs his business. By sharing workspace and machines they keep the investment costs low. With the collective they hope to become a stronger player among the other workshops.
At this point his marriage is official and his five children are recognized by the Burundian law. Despite the heavy competition and startup problems he is making just enough money to support also the two orphaned children from hislate fathers second marriage. Dieudonne’s wife just recently started a tiny restaurant next door. Their biggest wish is that the future will bring stability for the family.
The second edition of The Other Hundred focuses on the world's everyday Entrepreneurs. It captures the reality that small and medium-sized businesses, rather than tech billionaires or elite MBAs, contribute the majority of the world's jobs, including half of all jobs in Africa and two-thirds in Asia.