Support, training and coaching to a High School Student

• Technical and Analytical Skills: Diagnostic and Needs Assessment

• Project Management and Coordination: Project Planning, Budgeting, and Implementation

• Team and Leadership Skills: Promote Teamwork

• Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Cross-Cultural Competence

• Strategic and Operational Skills: Strategic Planning, Resource Mobilization

• Technical and Digital Skills: Digital Literacy

• Innovation and Adaptability: Creative Problem-Solving, Adaptability and Resilience

Before arriving in Togo in August 2019, I had contacted by email a member of the administration of the British School in Togo, to let him know that I would soon be in the country, and at the same time express my interest in working as an Art Teacher at the school. Mr. Ernest Dagovie replied after a few weeks that, unfortunately for me, that subject already had a teacher.

Regardless of his notification, Mr. Dagovie and I continued to maintain regular contact, to the point that one day he suggested to me the possibility of doing some private sessions with his daughter as extracurricular support, and thus improve her artistic performance at school. 

It was not until the pandemic caused by COVID-19, that we started our training. During the confinement, every Friday at 2 pm and for one hour we had Zoom sessions where we practiced some basic exercises, in order to know her level, strengths, weaknesses and goals.

After several months of work, the achievements were significant, to the point that the young girl not only improved her performance in the art course at school (main objective) but we also began to discuss between her, her father and me, the possibility of developing her own business.

We began exploring possibilities until one day, she shared her passion for the world of fashion and expressed her desire to design her own clothes. We discussed the idea of creating designs on paper, which could then be scanned and printed on men’s and women’s t-shirts. She was thrilled with the idea!

This proposal would not only help her learn about the technical aspects of art but also teach her how to present herself to clients, understand cost-benefit analysis in production, sales, and profit, and connect with more experienced salespeople. At just 14 years old, she would be taking her first steps as an entrepreneur.

As a practice, we sought inspiration from globally recognized religious symbols, as well as local symbols like the Adinkra symbols from Ghana. The goal of incorporating these symbols into her designs was to infuse her brand with the positive values these traditions represent—values rooted in their philosophies and worldviews.

These traditional ethnic symbols of Ghana can be found in ceramics, textiles, umbrellas, stools, jewelry, swords, architecture and many more.

It is used by contemporary artists, designers, craftsmen, teachers, students, among others. 

Shortly after, the young student discovered her own thematic design, one that felt more connected to her personality: The World of Music.

Once the product was finalized, the next step was to develop her online presence. To connect with potential customers and fans, we created a website using Wix.com and chose Instagram as the primary platform to promote her brand and venture. Thus, SE Designs was born.

Together with other local and international artists and artisans, we participated in three trade fairs to promote the products:

1. Club Hippique du Togo

2. Christmas Market at Le Beach

3. Marché de Noël

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7P5XUvgt2rU