Johnathon Mangochi is 39 years old and is married with 3 children. He has leg disabilities as a result of having had a stroke. He used to catch birds for food and to sell and would make 12,000mk (or £12) per month. He took part in the tailoring training at KODO, graduating in September 2020. As well as tailoring, Johnathon took part in business, gender awareness, reproductive health, HIV and AIDS prevention and organic manure production training. When he finished training, Johnathon was given a sewing machine, some materials and a solar panel. He started his tailoring business outside his home and is making 70,000mk per month from his business. His wife assists him in the business buying materials and measuring female customers. Johnathon bought some hair clippers and using his solar panel, he now also runs a barber shop, making an additional 90,000mk per month. He employs someone to run his barbershop. These investments have helped him to finance his agricultural activities in maize, beans and rice and he has managed to improve his yields significantly. He is a proud owner of a few goats and chickens that also play a vital role in his efforts to support his family.
For Johnathon, working sitting down at his sewing machine is much better for his legs. With his increased income Johnathon has been able to buy 4 goats, 5 ducks, 20 chickens, mattresses and beds. He is able to afford the school funds for all his children and is able to maintain his house. He has taught his sister and one son tailoring and is saving money so that he can buy another sewing machine. He is also saving to buy a cow.
