From Trainee to Entrepreneur: Peter Daka’s Journey with the REHEATZ Project
In the community of Mandevu, Zambia, 24-year-old Peter Daka stands as a testament to the transformative power of hands-on training and determination.
Through Build It International and REHEATZ’ collaboration earlier this year, Peter has turned his upskilling into a thriving carpentry and joinery business, boosting not only his own career but also his family's prospects.
His story is one of resilience, skill-building, and sustainable ambition in the construction sector.
Peter, a single young man with a TEVETA Certificate and Grade 12 education, previously completed entry-level training with Build-It International in Rough Carpentry and Steel Fixing. The training gave him a crucial foot in the door, opening up a pathway into the construction sector.
In 2025, after a year of independent work, BuildIt International selected him for additional training in plumbing as part of a joint project with REHEATZ, a project trying to reduce fuel use in Zambian factories.
Peter, along with five other BuildIt graduates, received an extra month of training at Build It’s construction training centre - the Centre for Excellence. Once they finished training, the graduates spent a month at Zambeef Huntley Farm, where they used these new skills to build a fuel recovery system on-site.
"This additional training was a game-changer," Peter reflects in his assessment. "It boosted my company and even helped my mum start her business at home." The combination of classroom training and application not only enhanced his technical abilities but also instilled him with confidence.
Although Peter had dipped his toes into entrepreneurship before, it was this experience that ignited his commitment. "I started the business before, but took it more seriously after the additional training," he notes.
Today, after two years as a self-employed carpenter in Mandevu, Peter runs a carpentry and joinery enterprise. He uses the skills he has acquired, such as daily carpentry work and steel fixing, without facing significant challenges in the job market.
Looking ahead, Peter’s short-term goals focus on financial expansion: formalising and branding his business while relocating to a less competitive area. In the long term, he aspires to advance into civil engineering, blending his foundational skills with broader expertise.
Eager for more, Peter expresses interest in refresher training on solar installations and water pumps, technologies that were also part of the REHEATZ installation.
Peter's gratitude shines through: "Thankful for the opportunity, looking forward to being engaged in future projects." As Peter builds his future, one joinery piece at a time, he inspires a new generation of skilled workers in Zambia's evolving construction landscape.
Written by Laura Nkhuwa (REHEATZ), Eleanor Mancusi-Ungaro (REHEATZ), and Elizabeth Martial (Build-It International). Photos by Laura Nkhuwa.