InnFocus Fall 2022

Leader of
the Future:
Wivine Mathias
Rukera
Room Attendant,
Long Beach Lodge Resort
by Danielle Leroux
Wivine Mathias Rukera is a charismatic and hard-working Room
Attendant at Long Beach Lodge Resort in Tofino.
Rukera moved to Canada in August 2021 and began working
at the resort several months later, after completing a two-month
hospitality management education program at Camosun College.
Rukera was working as a server in Kenya, when she found out
about the Hospitality Industry welcomes Refugee Employmentlinked
Sponsorship (HIRES) project through her sister and a
friend.
World University Service of Canada (WUSC) and Camosun
College welcomed refugee youth from Kenya to British Columbia
through the project, a unique employment-linked sponsorship
pathway in collaboration with Tofino’s hospitality sector.
The new initiative, funded by Immigration, Refugees and
Citizenship Canada, builds on WUSC’s long-standing Student
Refugee Program model and looks to further expand access
to economic opportunities for refugee youth and enhance their
economic integration into the Canadian labour market.
Out of 800 people, Rukera was one of nine selected to the
project in 2021. “HIRES is a good program,” adds Rukera. “It
helps so many people to do what they want to do in life and
adjust in their future.”
Long Beach Lodge Resort was one of our four champion
employers in Tofino that welcomed the first nine HIRES
participants.
When asked how she got into hospitality, Rukera says: “I love
people and being around people. You meet a lot of different
people from different parts of the world. You get to know their
needs and provide what they need.” She also loves the element
of teamwork, helping each other, and exchanging ideas and
conversation. In her current role, Rukera makes beds and cleans
rooms.
Courtesy of Camosun College
Before moving, Rukera interviewed with several companies,
but ultimately landed on Long Beach Lodge Resort. “I felt like it
was the one for me,” she says. “I did research online and it is a
beautiful place.” Outside of work, Rukera’s also soaked in some
of the nature Tofino has to offer. “I tried surfing once! And I’ve
also done some hiking.”
But the transition hasn’t been without its challenges. “I had
never done housekeeping before,” says Rukera. “At first, I
thought they were giving me too much information and it was
very challenging. But with time, I got used to everything.” Rukera
also experienced culture shock moving to a new country and
place but has a positive attitude when it comes to the change
and seems incredibly adaptable: “It’s life. We have to explore and
live in new areas,” she says.
Rukera is currently training to be a supervisor and is modest
about her success. But the resort’s General Manager Samantha
Hackett shares, “Wivine has proven in a short time that she is a
hard worker and a skilled leader. Her efficient work and ability
to connect with team members has started her on a great path
in the industry and we have been coaching her to become a
housekeeping supervisor at Long Beach Lodge Resort.”
In the future, she wants to expand her education and learn
more about hospitality and tourism or explore social work. “I am
a person who really likes helping people,” she says. “I want to do
other courses related to that.” Wherever her career path may take
her, it’s clear Rukera wants to be around and helping people.
InnFocus 5