Rombek’s Entrepreneurial Journey
Rombek Emmanuel graduated from the Leadership Academy of South Sudan (LASS) in 2015. Following LASS, he studied at Gulu University and graduated with a degree in biochemical engineering.
After his graduation, Rombek weighed his options for the future. Being the first person in his community to pursue further education, he realized he would now be the only source of financial support for his family. Rombek shouldered the responsibility of caring for his younger siblings and his elderly grandmother–who raised him and instilled in him the importance of family and community support from an early age. He also recognized his community’s pressing need for more employment opportunities and returned home with hope and determination.
Rombek’s journey into entrepreneurship was sparked by two momentous experiences during his time at university. While staying at the university hostel, he observed the unkempt and overgrown condition of the property’s grounds. A near-fatal incident involving a snake biting a fellow student due to the neglected environment prompted Rombek to step up and address the issue. He approached the hostel owner with a proposal to maintain the grounds in exchange for free accommodation. The manager agreed, and Rombek successfully saved up his hostel fee by the end of the semester.
One evening during his first year at the university, he was heading back to his hostel when he was surrounded by street children who threatened his life if he did not give up his possessions. He gave them everything, including the clothes on his back. While pleading for his life, he asked them why they were doing this. They told Rombek how they don’t have any other means to make money to survive. Though this incident was traumatic, it is what pushed him to see how he could help the homeless children, giving them a means to make money so they wouldn’t resort to theft.
Drawing from the skills and values he gained during his time at LASS, coupled with the pivotal experiences during university, Rombek embarked on an entrepreneurial journey to address the persisting issues that stem from overgrowth in his hometown of Gulu, Uganda. With determination and resilience, Rombek launched a lawn mowing business in 2020 called Aromaro Compound Service. Its primary services include lawn mowing, compound cleaning, bush clearance, and flower trimming.
The road was not easy, but he persevered. Over time, his business began to thrive, fulfilling one of his primary goals to create employment opportunities for other community members. As his business grew, he went from a single mower to seven and began teaching and employing the once homeless street children.
Since then, he has trained and employed over twelve young community members looking to support their families, seven of whom went on to start their own businesses, shops, and farms. Through training and mentorship, he has empowered them to take charge of their lives and contribute meaningfully to their community.
Rombek is also currently enrolled in entrepreneurship training through our partner, Sinapis. He is learning how to scale his business in the “Kingdom Way” through the Sinapis training. He said, “Sinapis has been an eye-opening training program that I cannot wait to put into practice.”
For Rombek, the past year has been a testament to the power of entrepreneurship and service. Not only has he been able to provide for his family, but he has also transformed the lives of the young individuals he employs. He sees this venture as just the beginning.
Grateful for the opportunity to serve his community, Rombek attributes his journey to the foundational principles of entrepreneurship and discipleship he learned at LASS. He recognizes that his drive to create positive change was only possible with the guidance and support he received at the Academy.
As he looks to the future, Rombek is filled with hope and determination. He knows that with hard work, dedication, and a commitment to Christ-like leadership, he can continue to make a difference in the lives of the homeless youth in Gulu and beyond.
