By Mary mwendwa.
In the dusty, dry and hot streets of Marigat town, a young woman has turned her fortunes into luck by selling watermelons.
At 25 Maureen Chemutai has been selling watermelon fruits in Marigat, Baringo county since 2013.Her long journey of success can be attributed to her hard work and determination to see her business flourish.The business which she terms as God sent has seen her shine and excel in business as a young woman.
“I am the first born of a family of five, and everyone depends on me since I ventured in this business.My profits are enough to support myself and the rest of the family. I am glad that I have no problem of search for employment, self-employed self-employed and enjoying every bit of it.”A happy Maureen says.
She continues to narrate how tough life was immediately after high school at Ngeria Girls , Uasin Gishu .”I could see poverty stare at me and that me angry and I decided to do something about it. There was no way I could languish in poverty yet I could do something to make I living. I set on a journey in 2013 and moved here in Marigat from Eldoret town where the rest of the family was living.Immediately I started vending watermelons on a wheelbarrow within the market here.I could buy melon worth 500ksh and make a profit of ksh 200 k.It was a tough venture at first, the dust and all manner of insults from some people within the market almost made me quit.I soldiered on and even I could do brokering for people who had established shops here. At times brokering was the worst because in case any stock remained I had nothing as profit and there were seasons melons could get ripe very fast and therefore that was a huge loss for me.
So, what was Maureen’s turning point?
“I saved enough from my little earnings and in 2014 I had my first stock of 2000 in a kiosk at the roadside just nest to the stage.My profit was around 1000 ksh and this seemed promising for me to keep on adding more. Here I was more relaxed and many customers could stop by my shop and buy melons in bulk and pieces.My stock increased to 5000 ksh worth and I made a profit of 3500 ksh .Since then I have never regretted.”
Maureen testifies that by having a kiosk at a strategic point, close to a stage and next to a road has seen her easily get access to customers both pedestrians and those driving.She says that watermelon business in the hot environs of Marigat is booming.”It is very hot here and watermelons have a lot of water which people like to help them quench and cool off the in the hot sun.I buy the melons in bulk from ksh 5000 -8000 per tone, that is one pickup van depending on the season.There are seasons the melons are not many and the stocks go for as much as ksh 8000 per tonne.
She sells the melons from ksh 50 -70 shilling a full one and she also slices pieces of 10ksh .”Many of my customers are from the disciplined forces, as you know this region has a high number of forces contingency who operate in this conflict-hit region.They come as far as chemolingot in East Pokot and they buy in bulk.”
Watermelons are mostly water — about 92 percent — but this refreshing fruit is soaked with nutrients. Each juicy bite has significant levels of vitamins A, B6 and C, lots of lycopene, antioxidants and amino acids. There’s even a modest amount of potassium. Plus, this quintessential summer snack is fat-free, very low in sodium and has only 40 calories per cup.
Scientists say that watermelon’s high lycopene levels — about 15 to 20 milligrams per 2-cup serving, according to the National Watermelon Promotion Board — some of the highest levels of any type of fresh produce. Lycopene is a phytonutrient, which is a naturally occurring compound in fruits and vegetables that react with the human body to trigger healthy reactions. It is also the red pigment that gives watermelons, tomatoes, red grapefruits, and guavas their color.
Lycopene has been linked with heart health, bone health, and prostate cancer prevention. It’s also a powerful antioxidant thought to have anti-inflammatory properties, according to Victoria Jarzabkowski, a nutritionist with the Fitness Institute of Texas at The University of Texas at Austin.
Watermelon supplies at Maureen’s kiosk come from irrigation schemes from Perikera, Endau and Loboi which are not very far from Marigat town.
Just like any other business, watermelons has its own low seasons.”There are times when the supply is low and the melons g for high prices, this makes profits low because I am forced to sell the melons at the higher price. But this does not deter me from doing the business it makes me stronger and hard working. Another thing I know is that watermelons are very delicate fruits, they need good handling both at farm and market. I, therefore, plan to join a training by the Baringo county on how I can get more skills on Melon farming so that in future I own my own farm.”
The Baringo County Council has provided lighting and sanitary facilities within the market, which makes it easier for business people like Maureen to operate. She only pays 20ksh daily as rates for the market to the county council.
As a member of a new women group that is yet to be registered, the single mother of one encourages other young women not to lose hope.”They have opportunities right where they are. ” She signs off.
