A day in the life of a bicycle repairer

KENYA - Bike repairer, Paul Mwangi starts his day at 8 a.m by assembling his spare tires next to a tree that provides shade for him. His workstation is an open area at Komarock phase 3b. Next to the tree is a broken bicycle that he will work on later in the day.His workplace is also in a busy area as buses, motorbikes, and matatus with loud music pass by. Opposite his workstation is a ditch with flowing water. There is also a businessman who is creating furniture opposite him.

After a while, he is joined by friends who laugh out loud as he works on a bicycle.They are intrigued by politics and argue about which political party is more popular. One of them has a newspaper that he uses as a reference to argue his points.A few minutes later, some children bring in their bicycles to be repaired.

Mwangi started his occupation in 2005. As a child, riding bicycles was his hobby.When he grew up his first job was of a bicycle repairer at the industrial area, Nairobi.When he realized he had enough experience, he decided to start his own business." I decided to start my own business by buying tools with the capital that I had saved", he said.
The location that he chose for his start-up was strategic. According to him, he chose Komarock because many children ride bicycles in the area. Fixing bicycles has enabled him to pay school fees for his children, at the same time all of his needs have been met.He said,"This job is what I enjoy doing, I can take my children to school, all of my needs are met, I am good".

His pricing is pocket-friendly.They are prices that parents and children can afford.whenever there are political events such as elections or rainy days customers do not visit his work area.

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