COVID-19 AS AN OPPORTUNITY

By Erick Kashara

It is almost three years since Covid-19 struck the world where people died, businesses failed, and economy was ruined among many other direct and indirect impacts. However, the striking of the deadly disease turned to be a hope to some people in the society as it opened opportunities which wouldn't have come their way if it was not for the pandemic.

Jackline Atieno a resident of Kisumu County in Kenya had struggled in life trying to make ends meet until 2021 when COVID-19 struck where she turned the tragedy into an opportunity. She could many days without any meal unless assisted by the neighbors. She also used to beg along the streets for help.

“like any person living with disability, I would wake up early in the morning to go and beg people along the streets of Kisumu, sometimes I get what to eat while sometimes people don’t give you” Atieno said.

To combat Covid-19, The World Health Organizations (WHO) proposed the use of face masks to avoid the spread of the virus. Some of countries were distributing the them freely to their residents while others like Kenya, people purchased the gears from the vendors. 

The face masks directive from the ministry of health was enforced by the police officers and one could be jailed for failing to obey the directive. Moreover one could not access to government services without face mask on. This boosted face mask business in the country.

Thousands of residents saw the opportunity and ventured into the business including Ationo, 22, who despite living with disability, decided to try make ends meet by offering the disease's protective gear at a cost of Ksh. 10 per piece.

"I had nothing at all, days could pass without having taken anything. One evening I sat down and thought how I could turn things around. The idea of selling masks came into my mind," Atieno stated.

According to Atieno, she got starting capital from one of his friends who would pass by in the streets where she used to sit as she beg for help.

“I was able to explain to one of my friends the idea of selling face masks and he welcomed it. He supported me by giving me two boxes of face mask to start with.”

The young promising business woman who dropped out of school at form two due to lack of school fees carried out the business as she could not secure a white-collar job. She continues to describe how majority of people living with disabilities in Kenya especially those who dropped out of school could not secure any job and end up as beggars in the street.

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