Determination is the key to success

Margaret, a grand mother of three in her late fifties walks about 10 kilometres everyday. She carries a heavy bag of about 10 kg s  full of vegetables heading to a place she calls "sokoni yangu"(my market).

I met her yesterday on my way home. As part of my campaign of spending zero shillings on matatus, I also walk daily as long as I can. But the difference between me and Margaret is, I chose to walk but she didn't! No one wants to walk with a load on their back! Nature or should I say life forced her to do so. She walks to find her daily bread.The remarkable thing about her is her charm and how grateful she is to have the little she has. She stops every now and then when she sees a woman and asks her if she wanted mboga(veggies) and she turns around and says,I might just pass by a customer so better stop and ask than losing a potential customer!

As we talked, she said "you know it is easy to ask for help from people but how long is that going to sustain you?May be one meal?Then what?". The thing that amazed me was when she said "God has a reason why he created day and night. Sleep when it is dark and work during the day. And please do not sleep during the day because unachokesha Mungu!(sleeping during the day makes God tired!)"

My mind kept wondering! What is the least I can do to help Margaret? I thought of buying her a bag with wheels to get the physical load off her shoulders but half the road she travels is not tarmacked. Am thinking may be a two in one bag will do : a back bag with wheels that she can carry when the road is rough. I don't know where I can find it,so if you know anywhere I can buy such a bag, let me know.

In the middle of nowhere, Margaret stops and says "this is my sokoni.This is where I display my veggies and wait for customers who are coming back from work". I asked her how much she makes when the business is really good. She says 400 shillings, about USD3.6 and 150 shillings when it is bad, about USD1.5.

The only help she asked for is to help get customers."If you know families or friends looking for someone to clean their house or clothes please give me a call" she said.

If you know anyone who needs the above services Margaret offers,please let me know!

Lesson of the day:
"Do not sleep when you can do something to better your life and be grateful for the little you have!"
           By Margaret (forgot her second name :(!!)