Valentine welcomes us to his home on a small hill on the outskirts of Masaka, a newly built house that reflects just how far he has come. At 27, he is proud of what he has achieved. What began as modest work as a brickmaker has grown into a thriving construction business, enabling him to invest in land, grow coffee, and plan for the future.
“I have a technical education. When I finished, I started working as a brickmaker,” he explains. “Through FINISH Mondial, I had the opportunity to take a training course. That’s where I learned how to build toilets that meet proper sanitary standards so people don’t get sick as often.”
This training marked a turning point.

Supported by FINISH Mondial’s approach to strengthening local sanitation markets, Valentine gained not only technical skills but also the confidence to recognise sanitation as a viable and growing business opportunity. “I saw there was real demand,” he says. “And I got there early.”
Today, Valentine works closely with a local health worker, combining awareness creation with practical solutions. “She explains the importance of hygiene, and I show people what a safe toilet looks like. Most families are very interested.”
Since completing the training, Valentine has built approximately 1,000 toilets together with his peers and trained over 100 masons, contributing to a growing ecosystem of skilled sanitation entrepreneurs in his region.
FINISH Mondial’s model supports entrepreneurs like Valentine as part of a broader circular sanitation approach, where local businesses deliver services, households invest in improved sanitation through access to finance, and safe waste management systems are strengthened over time. This creates not just access, but a sustainable market that continues to grow beyond the programme.
“I’m not worried about competition,” Valentine says. “There is still so much work to be done. We support each other, share knowledge, and help each other find jobs.”
His income has allowed him to build his own home and invest in additional livelihood opportunities, including coffee farming. He is now completing a toilet block next to his house and looking ahead to the next chapter of his life.
“I am proud,” he says. “I have built something that benefits everyone. People trust me now, and that means a lot.”
Valentine’s story is a powerful example of how investing in local entrepreneurs can drive lasting change. By combining skills development, market-based approaches, and access to finance, FINISH Mondial is facilitating sanitation systems that are not only effective but sustainable, creating healthier communities, stronger local economies, and greater resilience for the future.