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Covid in Kenya: The woman who refuses to be defeated by the virus





At the beginning of Slotxo เกมหาเงิน ที่มาพร้อมความสนุก the coronavirus pandemic, Josephine Muchilwa was working as a cook,
but like many others in Kenya and around the world, she lost her job. Over the past year, BBC World Service Business Daily presenter
Ed Butler has been hearing how she has coped.

"I don't have any job, I don't have a life, I don't have any food for my kids."

The stark reality contained in Josephine's description of the impact of coronavirus containment measures imposed a year ago struck home.

Just days after the government had announced tough curfew measures to restrict the spread of Covid-19, this single mother, living in
the overcrowded Nairobi neighbourhood of Kibera, set out the plight that so many were suddenly facing.

Her low-paid job in the kitchen of a local school went when pupils were told to study at home. She was left wondering how she was going
to feed her family of four children.

"I'm just bargaining with God," the 31 year old told Business Daily. "I don't know what to do."

But after hearing about her plight, a couple of generous listeners stepped in with a donation.

It was not a huge amount - about $150 (£110) - but it was enough to allow Josephine to launch herself into a fruit and vegetable
business.

Travelling by bus to a big wholesale market in the centre of Kenya's capital, she bought 25kg sacks of onions, tomatoes and more,
bringing them back to Kibera where she began renting a small, wooden kiosk.

Josephine then started sending regular audio diaries from her one-room, mud-walled shack about her efforts to make the business work.

This was happening just as Kibera, which is a giant informal settlement in the heart of Nairobi, was being plunged into crisis.

Since most Kiberans work as housemaids, cleaners or drivers, they were disproportionately hit by the economic slowdown, as their
wealthier employees asked them to stay away for fear they would bring infection.