Kefuoe Nkuatsana is a social entrepreneur running a special needs school called Mamello School and Special Needs Centre. Her aim is to promote inclusive education. Read her story below.
Startup Story:
Tell us about yourself?
My name is Kefuoe Angelina NKuatsana, well known as Miss Angy, an advocate for Inclusive Education with a huge passion for children. I am a 34-year-old Mosotho woman born in Soweto, South Africa, and bred in Naleli Ha Rasetimela. I attended my primary school at Mabote RC Primary School. I went to Cenez High School, where I completed my secondary and high school levels. I furthered my studies at the National University of Lesotho (NUL), where I graduated with a Bachelor of Degree in Special Education.
How did you develop a passion for inclusive education?
For the past five years, I have been teaching in one of the schools in Maseru. That is where I grew a passion for children who struggle in the classroom. That’s where I developed the idea of owning a Special needs School, and now the baby is here, I have a school, not just a school but a special needs school, which focuses more on children with social and educational special needs. It also caters to “normal” children, which means that it is an inclusive school.
Who are you targeting with your customers?
My target customers are learners with educational difficulties or disabilities and all children who can learn.
What inspired you to start the business?
The gap between learners with special needs and other students regarding education inspired me to take a step in helping to bridge that gap. I discovered that mainstream classrooms do not cater to learners with special needs; this is a barrier to getting a quality education for special needs students.
Can you tell us more about your entrepreneurial journey?
My journey is so exciting now. It has only been a few months since I started the school, so I guess I am yet to learn more about the Dos and Don’ts in this industry.
What challenges have you faced in your entrepreneurial journey?
I am still very new on this journey, but I have encountered a few challenges. The biggest challenge I am facing now is; a lack of resources to help some children, which means I have to turn their admissions down. That pains me a lot. Also, inadequate land is a big problem now. More classes are needed to accommodate more students. The other challenge is parents wanting to see progress overnight: this puts a lot of pressure on us (teachers and I). In special needs education, we teach children based on their pace, that is, how they learn, not the other way round. Special needs students cannot absorb knowledge the way we teach them, so we teach them how they can grasp the concepts we are teaching them. Besides all these, everything is still good. I am learning a lot on this journey.
What are your future goals for your business?
I want to see my school branching out of Maseru because I have realized that there are many learners with special needs in Lesotho. Some are kept at home because they have nowhere to go for their learning. Some are in schools, but such schools do not cater to them. So if there can be a few of these schools in the country, learners will get help. I also want to acquire machines like braille to help learners with visual impairment and more equipment to cater to children with Cerebral Palsy.
What is most fulfilling to you about being an entrepreneur?
I am not just an entrepreneur but a teacher to special children. I dreamt, and I am now living my dream. I am doing what I love, which is TEACHING.
Any advice for aspiring women entrepreneurs?
Focus, determination, commitment, and passion can get you anywhere. As a startup entrepreneur, bear in mind that entrepreneurship is a lifestyle but do not overwork yourself. Don’t ever let your business take over your life. In the beginning, you may have to add extra hours. In the long run, be sure to manage your time perfectly. Again, never stop learning; the market is constantly changing, and you should change too as an entrepreneur because starting your own business is a constant process of growth and learning.
Contact Details
Miss Angy NKuatsana
Founding Director and Principal
Mamello School and Special Needs Centre
Tel: 69344886/57223954
Facebook: Mamello School and Special Needs Centre
Miss Angy Sheepy NKuatsana
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