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.
“Most of us who didn’t complete their studies like me are not getting it easy to secure a job in this country, I have tried but my class eight certificate could not give me one.”
From selling of two boxes of Covid-19 face masks, Atieno is now an entrepreneur owning a shop which she would not have if it was not for Covid-19. She could save even a single coin from selling face masks and other protective gears of Covid-19, something which eventually enabled her open a shop. She has the capacity now to meet her daily needs out of COVID-19. Plans to open a supermarket is underway to open a supermarket as their as a niche in the the area.
"Right now I am proud to own a shop and soon I will open a supermarket. Through my savings, I believe I can do a lot to ensure my business will grow,'' Joyous Atieno added.
Through her hard work and fight against Covid-19 by educating people about the Covid-19 virus, Atieno was appointed to sensitize people living with disabilities on Covid-19 in Kisumu County.
"I am happy Covid-19 also opened so many doors for me apart from business as I could interact with people living with disabilities in Kisumu County where I offered moral, psychological and even physical support.”
Atieno is now urging people living with disability to try everything possible to make their lives better and not to rely on begging in the streets.
“I urge all those living with different disabilities to try every means available to make it in life. I know it’s not easy from us but we can start small by selling small things like sweets instead of begging in the streets. People will buy from you and from this you can get something to eat and save.”
In Conclusion, covid-19 though is a deadly virus that has claimed lives of several people across the world, it has been a blessing to some just like the case of Atieno who has seen her life change for the better.
This publication was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of Erick Juma Kashara and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.