Colaco

Colaco Chicote Mbaticoane is a 54 year old tailor.   He and his wife have eight children who they support, all of whom are at school.  He uses a treddle sewing machine and the largest part of his work comes from making school uniforms, which are a requirement of all schools.

He used the 6,000 meticals he borrowed ($200) to increase his stock of fabric. He charges 100 meticals ($3.50) for a school shirt for a child including the cloth or 50 meticals ($1.75) for making it up with the customer’s fabric.

He estimates that his current monthly income from the business is 3,000 meticals ($100).    He would like to be able to buy a second machine and employ another tailor to work with him.  He is interested in offering training to an apprentice.