A day in the life of Providence,
the first woman in Maintenance at Asco Belgium
Providence Gwiza is the first woman to join the Maintenance team at Asco Belgium. This is a historic moment for Asco, which has been in existence for more than 70 years. She has been working in Maintenance for a year now and demonstrates her talent and perseverance every day. We take a look at her daily life, from the moment she gets up until she goes to bed.
Written by Iyabo Oyeniyi
Communication Manager
Asco
4:30 a.m. – The day starts early
“My alarm goes off at 4:30 a.m. I drink a glass of water, get ready in the bathroom, and drive to Asco. I live in Molenbeek, so the drive takes about 30 minutes.”
Providence arrives at Asco at 5:45 a.m. She doesn't eat breakfast at home, but when she arrives at work, she drinks some water and eats a piece of fruit.
6:00 a.m. – Start of the workday
“Every day is different. We start with a short briefing with the manager. Then we check the computer to see which machines are broken and divide up the tasks.”
There are no fixed specializations within the team—everyone has to be able to repair all the machines. Providence trained in electromechanics and also received intensive guidance from her colleagues. On busy days, they repair up to five machines.
12:00 p.m. – Lunch break
“Every evening, I make sandwiches for the next day, including for my children. I have a 9-year-old daughter and a 14-year-old son.”
2:30 p.m. – Back home
“After work, I do the shopping, play with my children, or we go to the gym together. We eat a lot of fruit at home, so I often buy it fresh.”
The children play sports on fixed days: boxing for her son (Monday, Wednesday, Saturday) and swimming with her daughter (Wednesday and Friday). At home, Providence also likes to dance to African music, cook, and watch movies with her family.
9:00 p.m. – Time to sleep
“I take a shower and then go to sleep after a long but beautiful day.”
Working as a team
“When I started at Maintenance, I was afraid I wouldn't be accepted because it's all men. But everyone has supported and helped me from the start. It's real teamwork. If you need help, you get it right away.”
Some people advised her to stay an operator, but today Providence is glad she took the step. She feels like a full member of the team.
What gives her energy?
“When I've been able to repair something or learn something new, it gives me energy. When I see colleagues who have been in the business for 20 years, I think, ‘Why shouldn't I be able to do that too?’”
She feels proud when she has a good day at work and everything is going well at home. She learns something new every day, and even the most experienced colleagues are still learning new things.
A message for other women
“As a woman, you shouldn't be afraid to work in maintenance. Electromechanics is the future. Old machines are disappearing and new ones are constantly being introduced. There is always work and there is always something new to learn.”
Providence is not only a pioneer within Asco Belgium, but also a true inspiration.
Her story shows that motivation, eagerness to learn, and teamwork are more important than preconceptions.
She proves every day that where there's a will, there's a way!