Lifelong learning and small businesses management skills

Abstract

The Kellogg Foundation and Ba Isago University College partnership created opportunities for the San Community in D’kar to receive tailor-made training and educational material that precipitated a change of mindset, all of which were designed to equip them with critical small business management skills. It is not enough to give entrepreneurs a motivation to start a business. Businesses demands day-to-day management skills. This workshop was a follow-up to the initial training in Lifelong Learning and Entrepreneurship Development Training workshops held for the same San target group. This training provided nuts and bolts of running a business and looks into the challenges of operationalizing business knowledge and theories. Ba Isago University College and W Kellogg Foundation Project permitted all members of the San Community in D’kar to take part in the training and also provided translated materials. The participants were further motivated by the local government and small business development agencies which run workshops with them to give them funding options for their projects. Kuru Development Trust has been running a number of small businesses using mostly outside expatriate professionals, who leave the organization at the end of their contracts. It Trust runs the following: Game Farm, Art and Crafts Cooperative, Museum, San Dance Festival and a vegetable garden.