Dorothy Nabatanzi, a renowned Ugandan instructor of art and craft did not always have it easy in life. She says her late mother, Maria Ssemwogerere, trained her in craft design skills since crafts were their main source of income for the family.
A professional primary teacher, Nabatanzi says that after finishing the course in primary teaching she didn’t give up the crafts trade.
“I continued with the family business where I succeeded. I have built many housing projects including houses for rent. I have educated my children and I am even starting a school,” Nabatanzi says.
She now has 15 years of experience in the trade but now wants to dominate the international market.
“I can earn more than Shs 10 million from the orders I get across the country and outside, I also get some good monies from the people a I train from my home and communities. I also train students in different institutes across the country so I am happy for what my mother taught me,” she says.
Nabatanzi, 42, now wants to penetrate the international market having opened craft centres in Kampala and its suburbs.
“I now want to get skills on how I can use my numbers on the various social media channels to market my products to the world,” she says.
She said many parents look at making crafts as a vocation for failures.
However, Nabatanzi is hopeful that when they read her experience, they may change their perception.
