MOULDING A LIVING FROM SAND
The life of John Materemera has been turbulent but he chose to ignore the challenges and learn from the experiences. One such experience was a job he got as a water supplier to artists at Bukoto General Moulders, opposite Kabira Country Club.
HANDS-ON
By Maureen Nakatudde
The life of John Materemera has been turbulent but he chose to ignore the challenges and learn from the experiences. One such experience was a job he got as a water supplier to artists at Bukoto General Moulders, opposite Kabira Country Club. After watching the artists at work, Materemera felt inspired to try out his hand at the art. “I used to watch them as they worked when I brought them drinking water. So I learnt some of the skills and decided I wanted to make such items,’’ he says.
Bernard Katabalwa, his brother, who had moulding experience, offered to support and teach him.
In Katabalwa, Materemera found a competent business partner, who had the skills but lacked capital. They teamed up and the result was Bukoto General Moulders and Designers Association.
Benefits
Mataremera says he earns between sh200,000 and sh500,000 per month, while Katabalwa earns sh700,000 per month. During the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, he made sh2m in one day.
The items they sell include flower vases, pots, animal and bird statues. The prices range from sh5,000 to sh100,000.
The workshop that kicked off with a labour force of two people now employs 10 people.
In addition to their craft work, they train people interested in moulding and designing at a cost of sh50,000 per month. The student gets a 20% commission if they make and sell an item.
The association also benefits by luring and retaining the hard working and creative students.
Dickens Tumusiime, one of the students was eventually employed at the workshop, joined after compeleting A’level in 2008 failed to raise university tuition.
Today, he has a full time job and earns sh200,000 per month. Other workers earn sh7,000 per day depending on the day’s output.
The business booms during festive seasons like Christmas. The number of customers increases in January when the children are about to report to school. Their best clientele includes hotels and nursery schools.
Challenges
According to Materemera, some of their students become their business competitors and lure their clients.
He says raw materials like sand, iron bars and metallic nets are very expensive. “We do not use clay since it easily breaks and cannot withstand rainy seasons,†Materemera says.
Kampala City Council threatens to evict them because they lack a permanent structure.
Despite that, the businessman is
flourishing.
By Maureen Nakatudde
The life of John Materemera has been turbulent but he chose to ignore the challenges and learn from the experiences. One such experience was a job he got as a water supplier to artists at Bukoto General Moulders, opposite Kabira Country Club. After watching the artists at work, Materemera felt inspired to try out his hand at the art. “I used to watch them as they worked when I brought them drinking water. So I learnt some of the skills and decided I wanted to make such items,’’ he says.
Bernard Katabalwa, his brother, who had moulding experience, offered to support and teach him.
In Katabalwa, Materemera found a competent business partner, who had the skills but lacked capital. They teamed up and the result was Bukoto General Moulders and Designers Association.
Benefits
Mataremera says he earns between sh200,000 and sh500,000 per month, while Katabalwa earns sh700,000 per month. During the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, he made sh2m in one day.
The items they sell include flower vases, pots, animal and bird statues. The prices range from sh5,000 to sh100,000.
The workshop that kicked off with a labour force of two people now employs 10 people.
In addition to their craft work, they train people interested in moulding and designing at a cost of sh50,000 per month. The student gets a 20% commission if they make and sell an item.
The association also benefits by luring and retaining the hard working and creative students.
Dickens Tumusiime, one of the students was eventually employed at the workshop, joined after compeleting A’level in 2008 failed to raise university tuition.
Today, he has a full time job and earns sh200,000 per month. Other workers earn sh7,000 per day depending on the day’s output.
The business booms during festive seasons like Christmas. The number of customers increases in January when the children are about to report to school. Their best clientele includes hotels and nursery schools.
Challenges
According to Materemera, some of their students become their business competitors and lure their clients.
He says raw materials like sand, iron bars and metallic nets are very expensive. “We do not use clay since it easily breaks and cannot withstand rainy seasons,†Materemera says.
Kampala City Council threatens to evict them because they lack a permanent structure.
Despite that, the businessman is
flourishing.