Alumni Testimonials: Elijah Kotee & Janet Johnson on Why Trades Skills Matter
On October 10, 2024, Heather Cannon—Co-Founder and Executive Director—met two Uniting Distant Stars alumni: Elijah B. Kotee, 2019 Catering graduate and Permaculture certificate holder, and Janet Johnson, 2023 Cosmetology and Electrician graduate.
Left to right: Elijah Kotee, Heather Cannon, and Janet Johnson.
The below video series highlights Elijah and Janet’s post-graduation journey and why they recommend the UDS Vocational Training Center (UDSVTC):
In Part 1 of 4, the interview started with introductions and moved into what Elijah is doing post-graduation.
In part 2 of 4, Elijah Kotee talked about his small fast-food restaurant, Blessed Food, on Camp Johnson Road and Capital Byepass. He also shared what he had grown in his garden on top of the hill among the rocks from the 2019 Permaculture Training by the Sierra Leone Foundation for New Democracy (SLFND).
In part 3 of 4, Janet shared what she has been doing post-graduation with her cosmetology skills. She also submitted her application to Liberian Electric Company (LEC) for employment as an electrician. This is her passion.
In part 4 of 4, Janet Johnson and Elijah Kotee encouraged Liberian Youth to consider learning a trade and recommended the Uniting Distant Stars Vocational Training Center. They mentioned that UDSVTC provides real practical experience and makes the training affordable and accessible.
The discussion continued after the interview ended. First, Elijah and Janet plan to attend our Event Decoration course. They represent many UDS alumni, who like to learn multiple trades.
Left to right: Elijah Kotee, Janet Johnson, and Heather Cannon
Next, Heather asked them for feedback on what they liked or loved about UDS. They provided the following:
Elijah:
The learning environment.
The administration team.
Focus more on practicals--“Applying knowledge is powerful” as quoted by Elijah.
Other opportunities to learn such as permaculture training.
Janet:
Instructors train well.
The staff builds a rapport with students to encourage them to learn.
Instructors show up on time to teach.
Offer scholarships to help reduce the burden on youth.
When Heather asked what UDS could do to improve? They answered similarly by providing more student learning materials and increasing the instructors’ salaries.
We agree with them on these two areas of improvement. We supply the main learning materials such as sewing machines, computers, pots/pans, etc. However, we give students options on additional items. For example, caterers can buy the ingredients to sell their food items and keep the funds. They re-invest their earnings for their next class assignments.
Regarding salaries, we pay the instructors a monthly stipend that is paid on time. We like to pay a livable wage but need additional revenue streams to make this possible. Our affordable tuition allows more Liberian Youth to learn trades but limits how much we can pay the staff.