The problem of unemployment has emerged as a pressing issue for numerous young individuals in the nation, leading to a significant influx of students onto the streets annually upon finishing their studies.
Individual talents could serve as a fresh opportunity for many young people awaiting job opportunities from either the government or private sector.
Carving is a rapidly expanding art in Tanzania, providing employment opportunities for individuals such as Samson Alex, who runs his carving business in the Mwenge area.
Alex, aged 26, has been involved in this work for four years now, providing him with a livelihood to support himself and his wife.
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Speaking to a reporter from Media Wire, Alex explained that he did not have much formal education as he only finished Form Four. Shortly after completing his studies, he engaged in various activities, including motorcycle taxi (boda boda), but carving turned out to be his talent, which he hadn’t paid much attention to.”To be honest, brother, I used to carve just for fun. But people started to realize that I could carve, and I began to do it for money. Gradually, I saw it bringing in income, so I decided to quit boda boda and focus on carving full-time,” said Alex.
What about the challenges of this work?
Alex told Media Wire ,that while the challenge is not significant, there are instances when materials such as carving wood become scarce or experience price hikes in the market. As a result, the products become pricier, causing a decline in customer numbers.
“That’s the challenge. When you raise prices, customers decrease,” he said.
And what about the market for this work?
Alex states that the primary market consists of foreigners, specifically “whites,” along with different offices and Tanzanians who have a passion for art drawings.
“White ”customers are plentiful and have a strong affinity for pictures. They make bulk purchases, with a minimum of two pictures sold to them daily. If I were in Arusha, I wouldn’t achieve the same level of sales; my sales are higher here due to the significant presence of foreigners in the tourism reserves,” Alex explained.
Alex is of the opinion that the government should prioritize the arts sector and provide assistance to young individuals interested in establishing carving offices, even if it involves a collaborative effort. Undoubtedly, carving contributes significantly to foreign currency earnings.
Alex encouraged young individuals with talents, regardless of whether they are related to carving or not, to hone their skills as relying on government jobs has become increasingly difficult in recent times.
“I urge them to wake up and use their talents. Money is abundant here,” said Alex.
Truly, everyone has been bestowed with talent by God. Uncovering and utilizing it effectively can be advantageous for both yourself and your community. This is a challenge faced by many individuals globally.
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