Kojo John is 37 years old, a graduate of art and design whose life has been driven by his passion for art work designs and material. He is from Kitumba trading center in Kabarole district where he runs a small but functional art and design workshop called Legacy.

This is where he was practicing his learned skills into action after graduating in 2010 with no well-paying job despite sourcing for one over the years. He settled with starting his own workshop but the skills he had were limited and out dated. Therefore he didn’t earn as much as he would have loved until he heard about an opportunity to do a hands on skills training in Tie and Dye and Embroidery from a radio station.

The training was sponsored by Enabel where Kojo and his colleagues were taught new art and design skills while practicing hands on concurrently. “The new techniques in the skill excited me and helped me polish the ones I already had which am using now in my workshop,” says Kojo.

The new techniques he acquired and now practices are text printing, embroidery, labelling, tie and dye. Using the above skills he is able to make branded shirts, clothes, overalls, overcoats, aprons, badges, tie and dyed clothing material.
Kojo also trains other colleagues who are interested at his workshop besides working on the orders he receives. “The orders are seasonal but I get at least one every month and they are worth as much as 1.5M each which is good for me,” reveals Kojo.

He has invested his savings into setting up commercial houses, piggery and poultry keeping in his home village. Kojo is married to one wife and has four children whom he ably supports now that he has hands on skills which have boosted his business and employable skills.

Over 2000 Youth in the Albertine Rwenzori region have been trained in various skills to improve their livelihood and employability levels in their region.