My name is Letlotolo Lekhoakhoa Mokoena, and I live in Virginia, in the Free State. Until recently, I was unemployed and felt hopeless about my future, doubting my skills and abilities. I realised that staying at home would not lead me anywhere, so I decided to seek opportunities for growth and development.
Hearing about Thabiso Skills Development Centre and the training programmes they offer to unemployed youth excited me. I promptly registered for their courses, starting with the Carpentry course in October 2024. What thrilled me most was that the programme not only provided practical carpentry skills but also included Life Skills and Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME) training.
The Life Skills training transformed my perspective. It encouraged me to think creatively and outside the box, built my confidence, and taught me the importance of trust and respect for others. The SMME training equipped me with valuable knowledge on how to start and manage my own small informal business.
In the Carpentry workshop I gained fundamental skills in building chairs, tables, installing ceilings, and more. The hands-on experience was exceptional, our training combined theory with real manufacturing in the workshop, which exceeded my expectations. Every facilitator was dedicated and knowledgeable, and I learned a great deal from them all.
Thanks to this comprehensive training, I have now started my own small business called Wooden Treasures. I manufacture tables and chairs and also offer repair services in my community. I am proud to say that I am now earning a livelihood and was able to establish my business immediately after completing my training.
I am deeply grateful to Thabiso Skills Development Centre for their support and the valuable skills I gained. I no longer feel hopeless or without dreams. Although my business is not yet registered, it is my goal to register it soon. I also aspire to expand my enterprise and create employment opportunities for people in my community.
