Opportunities to Work From Home in Kenya

Two years ago I  had to terminate my contract with one of the major corporate organizations in Kenya so  as to go for my maternity leave. I had been promised that I could return once my child turned three months but things did not turn out as I expected. Three months after delivering a bouncing baby boy, I was called in for an interview but no response a week, two weeks or a month later. I remained hopeful but later, a friend told me that I had been replaced and that is when it downed on me, I had to find a way to make money while still at home taking care of my son.

I had a laptop and of course, like any other graduate living in Nairobi, Kenya, I went on to google on job adverts and I applied  for many positions as I could. But no response weeks later. I was disappointed. Very  frustrated.

Then, I recalled that back in 2011, I had been trained as an academic writer. I had worked for individuals and for online companies alike and I had gained adequate experience to continue with academic writing as a means of making money. I talked this out with my husband and he was supportive. With a laptop and enough Safaricom data bundles, I got started.

It was tough  since I had to wait for my son to fall asleep so that I could take order and work on them. But I soldiered on...I was not going to give up. The first few months I could only make $50 in two weeks.

Many mums, pregnant women and even freshly graduated individuals in Kenya find themselves in a situation similar to mine.

Unlike me, most have no idea that they can work from their houses and still be able to bring food to their tables and much more...

Here, I will discuss a few activities one can engage themselves in while at home and still be able to make money.

Do you have to have an official job where you work from 8-5 to be able to put food on your table, cloth your kids, drive a nice car, and live comfortably? I do not think so. No disrespect to all those working class ( I was raised by a nurse and a teacher. I have total respect to them and others like them because if it were not for their dedication to work hard and maintain their jobs, I would not be who I am today).  But what do you do when you cannot get the a position in a government institution, or a private organization?  Well, you could try some of these options

1. Online writing :- academic and article writing
2. Transcription
3. Making Shaggy mats
4. Baking cakes
5. Catering
6. Making fabric softeners, jik, and soap
7. Making decorating stuff
8. Selling Mitumba clothes online etc

There are many more activities you can carry out in the current times in Kenya while at home. It all depends on how determined you are to put food on the table and your interests...

In subsequent posts, I will discuss more similar options we can implement at home. Some of them I learned from a group of determined women helping each other grow in a Whatsapp Group.