When Eyangu James arrived at this workshop where handmade
toy cars are created from, on 22nd June, 2015 at about 09:00hrs EAT, he
requested one gentleman to come forward and participate in a short interview.
Little did he know that the young man he was to interview was the proprietor of
the project. Read The Full Interview below.
Who began this project?
This project; Kiwuka Kii Company Limited was started in
2014 by one Kalyowa Stephen to make play toy cars for children.
He convinced his schoolmates to join him; explained to
them what he wanted to do and they bought the idea.
Who is this Kalyowa
Stephen you talk of?
That's me (we burst out into laughter)
So Stephen, tell me, how
did you start?
I used to see imported toy cars from manufacturers across
the border and felt we can locally make them and I decided it was time to
start.
I made my first toy car which cost me Ug.Shs 500 because
i had to buy a particular jerry can from a fuel station and the rest like tires
i used cut-out sandals. I made my first car and was able to sell it off at Ug
Shs 9,000 and that was highly motivating to me.
When i looked around, i saw that there was plenty of raw
materials around me so, i bought more plastics and ventured into this work.
Why the name Kiwuka Kii?
It is in honor of the man who found me walking with my first
handmade car and offered me a place to set up a workshop to make more
What is your typical day
like?
My day starts at 6:00am when I wake up, get myself in
order and report to the workshop by 8am.
At work we start by making the head sections of the cars,
while others embark on making frames, shaping tires and cutting plastic.
We meet our daily target of 12 toy cars per day. We then
end at about 5:00pm
What do you love or find
most enjoyable about this work?
First of all, i enjoy seeing my dream come to pass. While
I grew up, this is what I longed to do. Each time i saw a factory made toy car
and other play toys, I yearned to make one by myself.
I also enjoy the fact that everybody gets amazed at how
we manage to make these toys.
I have also enjoyed learning how to work with a team of
youths that I employ. Most of them are my age mates and a few are older but i
love the spirit of team work.
Importantly, I love the fact that this business has
supported me financially
Any challenges?
Short supply of raw materials such as jerry cans emptied
of oil. At times, increase in price at which we buy materials and also at times
the tires are not available.
The other challenge is the fact that this place bearing
the workshop is a plot of land on sale. So when this place is finally sold, it
will be an inconvenience shifting to another place.
We also have to meet ground rent regardless of how our
sales go for the month.
Is there a season when
this business sale goes up?
Yes, during school holiday time, our sales go up because
the holiday makers ‘fall in love’ with our products and make more purchases
How much do your toy
cars go for?
Between shs 25,000/= and shs 50,000/= depending on what
you are buying. The toy motorcycles are much cheaper.
Take us through your
education background.
I got an education right from Nursery, primary school
level to Senior Four (S.4) but dropped out after Senior Six (S.6) from St.
Agnes Secondary School.
And then, what happened
next?
From Luwero, I moved in with my brother who lives in Mukono
town. Not only did he host me but introduced me to his trade of selling portable
FM radios. Soon i began dealing independently from him but as fate would have it,
taxes on the radios went up and returns dropped. I fell out of the job and soon
I only had 500 shillings. On that money, I bought the first plastic, an empty
jerry can of International Oil that was easy to 'mold'.
Later on, I bought 10 more Jerri cans to boost my work
after selling the first car
How many youths do you
currently employ?
I employ 10 youth who work in the different stations.
I would love to have a bigger team of youth to do this
work because it pays and it is also a good way to reduce the unemployed numbers
of youth. I can’t reject the government coming in to fund.
Handmade toys vs factory
made. What’s your take?
Publicity; our products have a ‘young’ and steadily
growing publicity.
In case of damage, we have spare parts. A customer has
the liberty to come back for necessary repairs.
Basing on customer feedback, our cars are praised for
their strength and durability
We also do product exchange at a small fee
What message do you have
for the 'job hunters'?
My advice to those who have searched for employment until
they had to seat at home is to start a business
For inquiries; please,
contact the Editor by email; inspireug1@gmail.com
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| The Writer Posing With Some Of The Members |
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