The knowledge acquired from the training is helping me to better plan, set goals for my business and engage with my customers effectively. The overlock machine has increased the quality of my work. I can now do quality finishing on my products. I even earn some money from my fellow tailors-turned-customers who bring their clothes for overlock. I charge 40-50 shillings for overlocking one piece of cloth. This has guaranteed some level of income alongside the quality of my work. I see myself growing and attracting more customers. My income has improved and I look forward to establishing ‘ Ouya Textiles Company’ in future. Says Ouya.
Amos Ouya is a 49-year-old middle-aged tailor from Kisumu. He is married to Monica Atieno and has five children. Mr. Ouya runs a garment making shop at Ekwanda shopping center in Maseno, Kisumu. This business he started in early 2000 having learnt some tailoring skills in primary home science and further acquiring skills in dress making through apprenticeship both in Nairobi and Kisumu. Ouya holds a theology diploma in Bible in Mission from Nairobi Great Commission School.
We both run the garment making shop with my wife, who is a KNEC-certified tailor. For many years of practicing garment making, I desired to be a certified tailor to prove my ability given the longstanding experience in this field. Sometimes we joked about it with my wife, who is certified dressmaker…. although I have more experience.  Lack of a certificate lowered my self-esteem in negotiating business deals with customers. Thanks to Pamoja for your scholarship program. I sat for my NITA Grade Test III assessment in May 2022 at Mariwa Vocational Training Center and I am determined to further my studies, "says Ouya.
Ouya is part of the 118 up-skillers enrolled in the Skills for Jobs (S4J) project for the period, January–April 2022. As an apprentice, he also benefited from Business Finance Management (BFM) training and was awarded a business toolkit of an overlock machine. The overall objective of the S4J project is to improve the employability and economic opportunities of young men and women in Kisumu, Bungoma, and Siaya Counties. The goal of the BFM and soft skills training is to provide participants with practical knowledge and tools in business, finance, and business planning.
Ouya currently provides attachment to tailoring and dress making trainees from Mariwa Vocational Training Center. He considers this an opportunity not only for learning by the trainees but platform to enhance publicity of his enterprise.
"Thank you to Pamoja, you have made me proud. Keep up the good job and support many to address both technical and capital needs to start or grow their businesses.”