Cleaning cars opens doors and more for shop owner

Nairobi, Kenya: Edward Lukoye is a proud shop owner. As he puts the final shine on each car at the car wash that birthed the shop, Lukoye, 24, from Huruma slums in Nairobi, is focused on greater achievement. His current situation is merely a stepping stone towards his goal.

After completing high school five years ago, Edward did not want to join other hopeless school leavers; he wanted a simple economic activity to help him get a decent income.

"Although I had the grades to qualify for a teacher training course, the fact that I come from a poor family set all the odds against me. All the years I was in school, my parents struggled to take care of my needs. Sometimes, my younger siblings would skip school in order for my parents to raise my school fees," he says.

So when friends called him to the city to join them in a car wash business, his prayer was answered.

"It was an opportunity to make a living. I sold two chickens to raise my fare to the city. I was not wiling to let this opportunity go. Even my parents were happy," he says.

And this is what became the foundation of his life and by extension, that of his family. Lukoye takes home an average of Sh300 a day from washing cars, which has helped him achieve a few things. For example, he has opened a small shop in Huruma that he runs in the evenings and on his days off.

The shop has shown potential for growth. "From the small shop, I am realising some good profits. In most cases, I operate it for only three hours a day. I save most of my profits as I intend to expand in the coming year."

Using this income, Lukoye has been able to support his parents back home and pays school fees for his siblings. "It is a humble beginning but I am sure this could break the cycle of poverty in my family. I am proud of what I am doing," he says.