This driven young woman is challenging gender roles and making her dreams come true.
Sixteen‑year‑old Bea lives in the Kasai region of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Her days are full, often spent at the roadside garage where she works – opening engines, replacing parts, and learning everything she can about motorbikes. But her journey to becoming one of the only female mechanics in her town has been far from simple.
A childhood interrupted
Bea grew up dreaming of a future many girls in her community never dared to imagine:
“I’d never seen a female mechanic and wanted to be the first one,” she says.
Bea was dedicated to her studies and working towards that goal. But tragically, when her mother died, everything changed. She moved in with her grandmother, who couldn’t afford school fees, and Bea was forced to drop out at just 12 years old.
For three long years, she stayed home – watching other children continue their studies while she waited, uncertain whether her own dreams would ever be possible.
“It was painful. It hurt because I could see other people realising their dreams when I couldn’t … we had no money to pay the school fees. Despite everything, I always had a goal in mind.
A turning point
One afternoon, opportunity knocked: Bea heard that Save the Children’s local partner, International Development Advisory Services (IDAS) was offering literacy and vocational training for girls. She enrolled immediately.
“When I started doing the mechanic training I felt so good, so happy,” she remembers.
She completed literacy classes followed by six months of mechanics training. For the first time in years, she felt her future opening up again, thanks to support from people like you.
“I want to master the work and make lots of money and grow,” Bea says.
Finding confidence in her craft
Today, Bea works at a garage supported by Save the Children with her friend Mado* – the only other female mechanic in the area.
“At work I like to open the engine, remove bits, swap bits and close it all up again. I like to take a look at the motorbike’s engine to find out which damaged parts need to be repaired.”
With every repair, Bea grows more skilled and more certain of her path. She uses her earnings to buy daily essentials like food and hygiene products, and takes pride in supporting herself.
“When I’m doing mechanics, I feel very at ease,” Bea says.
Overcoming stereotypes and becoming a role model
As one of just two female mechanics in her town, Bea has faced her share of doubters: “Many people are proud of me and encourage me. Others discourage me. Others say things like, ‘Why are you a girl doing a man’s job?’ To men who say this, I say that there is no single option for men or for women. It is something I had in my heart, and I did it.”
Bea sees her success as proof that girls can do anything they want. “For girls in our community, I would rather they learn a vocation like mechanics than be idle,” she says. “For girls who stay at home there is not much future for them. Marriage, children and it doesn’t go further.”
“I want people to come to my garage,” she says. “People will see that this lady knows how to repair things!”
Bea and Mado work on a motorbike together.
Each motorbike she works on is a step toward financial independence, confidence, and the future she once thought might never eventuate.
With the support of Save the Children and IDAS – and her own unshakeable determination – Bea is rewriting expectations and proving that girls can lead in any field they choose.
*Name changed to protect identity.
Photos: Hugh Kinsella Cunningham / Save the Children.