30 Nov 2016

Thirty-year- old, Ms Onneile Modisaotsile of Gakgatla settlement in Kweneng District near Thamaga cannot stop smiling when she thinks of how the Mascom Kitsong Centre changed her life for the better.

She became one of the beneficiaries of the Kitsong Centres last year.

After failing her junior certificate examinations in 2000, she had to find employment as both her parents were unemployed.  

 
She went to Gaborone where she worked as a  maid for eight years.

And when the opportunity of applying to operate Mascom Kitsong Centre came, she did not hesitate.

She tried her luck and became a successful candidate and was then given Mascom Kitsong Centre package comprising of a caravan, two computers, seven chairs, Mascom modems and simcards.

Although, she did not know how to use a computer by then, that did not discourage her.

Rather, she asked her little sister who is a Botho University graduate to teach her how to operate computers.

Not knowing how to operate a computer came at a heavy price for her as she always had to have airtime on her mobile phone so as to call her sister for asisstance when stuck.

It was hard for her as she would at times forget what her had told her, but passion and determination kept her going.

Today, she runs and operates the centre alone and provides services such as printing, typing, photocopying and designing business cards.

She stated that as there was no electricity in her village, she charges phones for her customer as she uses solar panels as a source of power in her caravan.

“I am so glad that I am now business-minded, since I am able to keep records of how the business is doing,” she said.

The young entrepreneur explained that she had learnt that being in business one had to be patient and respectful to her customers, citing out that before starting the business she did not know if that was relevant and fruitful.

Ms Modisaotsile said the business was doing well because the profit she makes enables her to feed her family and save some money for future use.

She noted that although the business had its story of success, she was faced with the challenge of poor network in her area, hence she was not able to provide internet services as well as faxing.

She also cited shortage of stock since every time when there was shortage, she had to close to go and look for materials, thus making her to spend a lot of time travelling.

Despite all the challenges, Ms Modisaotsile was positive.

She encouraged other youth to utilise government programmes and any initiatives from the private sector to fight unemploym ENDS