In Moribadou, a town located near the Rio Tinto SimFer mining site, Pauline Guilavogui combines opportunity and passion: to become a mechanic.
Every morning, before sunrise, she leaves her native Moribadou to go to the Rio Tinto SimFer mine site to learn the mechanics and maintenance of fixed equipment. Proudly dressed as a worker at a mine site, Pauline has a profession that is still little practiced by women and girls in her community. A real challenge that she takes on with pride and responsibility.
A Calling Discovered Early
From an early age, Pauline dreamed of becoming a mechanic. After completing her secondary education, she made her first attempt to gain admission to the Beyla Vocational School, but was unsuccessful. Determined not to give up on her ambition, she moved to Conakry, where she began training in logistics. A few months later, the SimFer Mine Site Technical Training Centre launched its apprenticeship programme. Seizing the opportunity once again, Pauline sat the selection tests and was successfully chosen to join the programme.
“Today, I am learning this profession from qualified professionals, and I am thus starting the path towards the realization of my dream,” she says with joy.
Rallying her parents to her cause
Every day, before travelling to the training center, Pauline receives the blessings of her parents who fully support her in her career choice. But this support was not so easily acquired – her father feared the physical demands of this job and Pauline had to convince him. Pauline was able to reassure them and today her family proudly supports her every day. However, Pauline must persuade those who don’t yet believe that women should do this work.
“I often hear discouraging remarks. So I explain that there is no job reserved for men or women. In Moribadou, more and more young girls are showing their interest in mechanics. Today, in some garages, we even see apprentice mechanics,” she explains hopefully.
A future focused on transmission
Pauline does not intend to stop there. She wants to continue to improve her skills, gain experience and, in the long term, create a mechanical training center for young girls, to encourage others to believe in their abilities.
While waiting to make this project a reality, Pauline continues her learning with determination.