Lokopio Hills Technical Vocational Institute -Guild Project
Taking office, our guild of 32 enthusiastic members faced a daunting situation. Delays in receiving our allocated budget from the administration severely limited our ability to serve the student body. This lack of resources was further compounded by the absence of any existing projects that could generate additional funds. The combined effect was an environment of frequent student complaints and a hampered ability to deliver on our promises. Determined to overcome these obstacles, we knew we had to act quickly and creatively to ensure our team could still thrive and deliver results for the students’ community.
To address these issues and ensure we could better support the students we were elected to represent, we decided to start a business. This business would serve a dual purpose: generating revenue to fund guild initiatives and provide small allowances for the guild cabinet. Additionally, we wanted the project to address a specific challenge faced by the student body.
In August 2023, a timely training by the Cyber School team equipped us with valuable entrepreneurship and business skills. This training, including instruction on crafting a business plan, proved invaluable.
Through a deeper evaluation of student needs, we discovered that many students traveled long distances to get haircuts, often venturing outside the school grounds to refugee camps, travelling a distance of about 6-8km from the institute to Bidi Bidi Zone 2 settlement. This resulted in missed lessons, delayed returns, and potential disciplinary issues due to missed curfew.
Armed with this information, we proposed a student-run salon to solve these problems for the student community while addressing the guild’s financial challenges. With the institute’s administration’s approval and a starting capital of Shs 800,000, we purchased the basic starting equipment hair clipper, standing mirror, combs, hair sprays and oils and spirit. We processed to advertise for a barber within the student community who would receive a 20% commission from each day’s earnings.
On 14th April 2024 during the course of the first term, Lokopio Super Salon as we call it, opened its doors to the Lokopio Hills Technical Institute’s students’ community offering a variety of services such as haircuts, hot combs, shampoos, washes, and sprays. Since its launch, the salon has become a popular destination, serving students, instructors, the surrounding community, and even sister schools.
Our student guild salon is a source of immense pride and has blossomed into a thriving business generating a weekly profit of approximately UGX Shs 15,000. These profits have directly impacted the student body in several ways. They’ve allowed us to provide refreshments for guild meetings, cover transportation costs for guild team participation in sister school activities, and most importantly, increase guild allowances. Previously, guild executives received Shs 7,000, while cabinet representatives received Shs 4,500. Thanks to the salon’s success, these allowances have risen to Shs 10,000 and Shs 7,000 respectively. The increments have allowed the leaders to do more with their allowances
“Like many others, I use my allowance for things like handouts and personal needs. However, I managed to save Shs 30,000 from the first term’s allowance. I used this money to buy maize seedlings and planted them on a one-acre plot during the holidays” Bazilio Owole, Guild President
This initiative has been incredibly beneficial for the guild officials, fostering a sense of accomplishment and financial motivation. In addition, it has provided some members with first-hand experience on how to run a small business but also the critical skills required to ensure success in a business.
“Saving wasn’t something I knew much about. However, participating in the salon business as a representative for non-formal students studying Poultry production opened my eyes. Not only did I learn the importance of saving within a business, but more importantly, I realized that even small savings can help achieve my dreams. With this newfound knowledge and the increased allowance, I set a goal to save Shs 15,000 by the end of the term, and I reached it! This money went towards purchasing tomato and eggplant seedlings, which are currently thriving in the nursery. The profits from this venture will be the stepping stone for my future poultry project.” Jerry Asizu, Course Coordinator Poultry Production – Non-Formal Student – Poultry Production
“The Salon has enabled me to realize that even with limited resources, a business can thrive and grow with dedication and strategic partnerships.” Ibrahim Achile, Speaker Guild Cabinet
The salon business has grown steadily, generating an average monthly profit of UGX 30,000 to Shs 50,000. This initiative has empowered the student body by offering a convenient service on campus, creating valuable student jobs, and extending this service to the surrounding communities. We are incredibly proud of its impact, both financial and social.
“Working in the salon business has given me the opportunity to learn hair shaving. Recently, I shaved a young boy’s hair, and it was a really rewarding experience. If I can master this skill, it could be a valuable way to earn money in the future.” Lenia Collet
We are deeply grateful for the support of Cyber School Technology Solutions. Their training and courses in entrepreneurship and business skills provided the critical foundation that allowed us to launch this successful project, serve our student body, and enhance guild allowances: create student jobs and extend vital services to the surrounding communities.