Soapstone business attracts tourists in Nairobi

NAIROBI - Soap Stone Carver , Erick Mirieri Mogunde has displayed his main source of income for sixteen years at malls , galleries, markets and shops in Nairobi for tourists and Kenyans to purchase his pieces.The soapstone is found in Kisii Town , Tabaka hills in Western Kenya.It is mined 30 km away from the town. After it is mined, they start the carving process.

Also known as a steatite, it is a talc-schist, a type of metamorphic rock which is soft and very easy to carve and manipulate.

Mogunde said , "I started my business after I visited my sister who lives in Nairobi. We went to Maasai market to buy some gifts for her friends. When we were at the market we came across my friends who were working there ", he said.

He added , "After a few days I came back to the market to talk to one of my friends who convinced me to start the carving business".

Mogunde looked for capital of up to Ksh. 30, 000 for the start-up. The carving business was a great opportunity for him because he made a lot of profit afterwards selling to tourists who are his main customers.

"The business start up has been great to me , I am able to make profit and pay all my bills.Most of my customers are tourists", he said.

The soapstone business comes with many challenges as well, for example during elections there was no means of transport, he was unable to transport his goods.

Carving soapstones requires one to keep trying and not give up easily. He said that he has come across many people who started the business but after a few days , they decided to quit. His advice is to work hard , nothing comes easy.

Most of the time he normally showcases his products at private markets .

"Every Friday you will find me at Village market, Sundays I am usually at Yaya centre, on Thursdays I am at Nakumatt Juction, and wednesday, Capital centre , Mombasa road.I don,t have a specific place, I normally rotate.

His future plan is to expand his business and make maximum profit to cater for his family needs.

Comments

Davina Field- Marsham creates a huge impact with her project

Davina-Field Marsham in the centre holding a baby wrapped in a purple blanket KENYA - Most teenagers go to malls to pass time but Davina Field- Marsham is no ordinary teenager . At just 16 she has created, Do right, a project that sells non-profit stylish bracelets at malls in Kenya and Canada. The non- profit organisation sells bracelets with a purpose of using its profits to encourage women to visit clinics during pregnancy. She also provides women with postnatal care bundles that contain nappies, blankets, soap and a pamphlet that provides more information about the post natal period with an aim to reduce maternal and neonatal morbidity. The bracelets are made at Langata women's Maximum prison by trained women prisoners.When the bracelets are sold they get paid in salary which is sent to their families. I met Davina on a Sunday afternoon at Yaya centre. She had positive energy which attracted people towards her table to find out more about her project . As I sa

photocopying services used to generate income

MS. Mutuku photocopying papers for students KENYA - Photocopying is one of the best ways to generate an income. Patricia Mwende Mutuku who has a family in Athi River, works for EBN creations which is also known as Document Centre. EBN creations photocopying service acquires income from around 100 hundred students who photocopy their notes daily. The business which is in Daystar University near the lecture rooms , is booming because students photocopy their course outlines, class notes and old exam papers. Although notes can be sent through email which is a digital way of accessing notes , other lecturers prefer the analogue way which is to leave their notes for students to photocopy. Ms. Mutuku started working at EBN fifteen years ago due to its business opportunity. “There is good income and I enjoy working here because I interact with many people”, she said. The income that she generates from her job not only caters for her transport to Daystar from Athi River but also

Meet Joan Thatia the African feminist who is not afraid to speak her mind

Joan Thatiah is a woman of steel who believes that young women should be enlightened about their bodies and advices them on how to handle life changes. The 29-year-old feminist who has been a journalist since 2011, does not sugar coat what African women should expect from a man. She is like an older sister who dishes out details about marriage and love. Basically information that other African writers shy away from. I met her at the Nation Centre in Nairobi. She had a lot of positive energy as she spoke about her passion for writing for women.She said , "I like to call myself a writer. I write articles and books for women. I am passionate about women, I write about women for women". She writes to women about the issues that are seen as a taboo in society. Joan Thatia is a feminist and believes that young women can still be brilliant if they are encouraged enough. Thatia specialized in writing for African women because most self helping novels do not cater for

Diing Magot

Search This Blog