Sometimes life is hard, not because you don't have money or friends. Its hard because we find ourselves in certain situations that require urgent attention. There are things are rather people we take for granted, at times we frown with disapproval and displeasure with their life choices and the work they do!
These people operate small business that are service oriented in nature and when you find yourself in a fix they are the first people to help you out. Ofcourse with a few coins in return.
Today we will take a look at a few of them and see the important role they play in a society. They are the small parts of the engine that moves the economy and ensure that you are able to perform optimally.
Public Toilet attendants.
Have you ever eaten something that didn't agree with your stomach? Or drank a little bit more of tea, coffee or just over indulged? I'm sure you have. Have you ever heard your worms whistle in celebration for the extra food but your stomach isn't agreeing and its like "they got to go?" I'm sure you have. It just happens when you board a matatu to work that diarrhoea starts creeping in! You try all sort of things including praying at this point even a small fart is capable of betraying you!
Well worry not! When you finally reach town after what seemed like days of travel, you run and enter a clean public toilet, pay ks 10 or $ 0.01 take a tissue and proceed to do your business peacefully in a clean environment.
Boda boda Guys
These are taxis on two wheels, they are found on every corner waiting for customers. They manoeuvre easily through traffic and are the fastest way to reach your destination incase you are late, they are also capable of venturing in areas impassable by vehicle and also if you want something delivered fast- look no further.
I personally don't use them unless its absolutely necessary, they are responsible for almost 60% of road accidents in cities, some riders are very careless and can leave you paralysed for life! They are also commonly used to commit crimes because of their agility.
Boda bodas guys are also known to have a certain charm that attract married women to them. They have been accused of sleeping with them for free rides! So next time you see your wife boarding a boda boda, please pay for her ☺.
Mama fua
Mama fua is a domestic worker that you call once or twice in a week to wash your clothes, clean the house and wash the utensils , this are chores that many bachelors hate to do. A man's back is not designed to bend for long hours doing these chores, what they do is hire one for a day to do them. The price range is between ks 500 to ks 1000 or $ 5 to 10 dollars. When you get one that is able to do the work well she becomes your regular and when she earns your trust - you may leave her with your house keys as you attend to other things away from the house.
Its respectful to let them work in a peaceful environment, don't give them your under garments to wash or leave obscene items or materials in plain sight. Some men have been known to be randy asking them for sexual favours!
Cobblers and Shoe shinners
Your shoes help you to make a statement, they should be comfortable and easy to walk in. They should also be tidy and well taken care of. Shoes get dirty in whichever weather when its raining there's is mud and when it's sunny there's dust. Sometimes you're forced to brush your shoes twice, when leaving the house and when you reach town. This is especially so for men because it is said that ladies, in making a decision to speak to you will first notice your shoes and belt.
I see ladies all the time at a cobblers place of work with torn sandals getting them fixed. Sometimes the heels get stuck in the open manholes and break, you don't have to walk limping when there's a cobbler in town. For less than ks 50 or $ 0.5 your shoe is as good as new.
Watchmen
You entrust your life and property worth a lot of money to these men and women. They are disciplined and obedient and its only right you accord them a little respect. They put their life at risk for you, they have been badly wounded and killed trying to fight thugs for you! They go out of their way to please you like washing your car, cleaning the compound and even playing football with your kids.
When your are lost for directions in town they will help you, they'll accord you all sort of help without demands. They will watch your car at a public parking spot, just make sure to appreciate his effort with a small tip a ks 100 will do.
Not all are good though, some are known to conspire withe house helps to plan to a robbery in your house or even a kidnap! Some have also hacked their bosses to death!
Fundi wa Nguo ## (Tailor)
One day i was alighting from a bus, the door knob caught the edge of the pocket on my pants and a whole piece of cloth was left hanging! I was very lucky, the same spot i alighted was a tailor who promptly fixed it and within minutes i was on my way. For ks 100 i managed to avoid embarrassment the whole day.
Hawkers
Love them or hate them - they make your life a little bit easier. They bring wares closer to you so you don't have the trouble looking for them, from veggies to clothes you will find them in strategic locations shouting at the top of their voices to get your attention.
Ladies do you remember when it was soo sunny in Nairobi, then all of a sudden there was heavy rains? Who came to your help? It was hawkers who brought you umbrellas and papers to cover your hair in minutes!
There has been an influx of hawkers in town, its impossible to walk on pedestrian lanes. Business owners are complaining of blocked entries. And crime rate has skyrocketed.
The government should look in ways to contain this.
Other favourable mentions are;
Kindagarten teachers
They spend a whole day with your young ones imparting them with knowledge.Customer care representatives
They are polite and always smiling when sorting you out with an inquiry or a problem.Mama Mboga (small vegetable vendor)
They wake up very early to go to the market and bring youball your favourite veggies. They also go an extra mile to wash and prepare them for you - all you have to do is cook.Messengers
They run errands to help you concentrate on your work.
And many more..
Notice i didn't mention people who prepare and cook food by the roadside? It was on purpose, the hygiene is "very" wanting! I once saw a lady who was selling boiled eggs hire a very dirty street woman to prepare the kachumbari (pickle). A mixture of tomatoes, onions and pepper. The street woman was really dirty and didn't even bother to wash anything. It would later be sold to party goers late in the night!