Blending natural juices for a better life

Four years ago, Hellen Ndunge completed a primary school teaching job. As any other graduate, Ndunge, 27, expected to get a job immediately.

As months passed without any sign of getting a job, Ndunge decided to do something about her idleness; she found a venture to keep her busy and more importantly, provide her the much-needed daily bread.

By blending and selling assorted juices, Hellen is earning a living as her friends continue 'waiting for employment'.

''Immediately I graduated, I saw a long road ahead. One, I was sure of waiting for years before getting a government placement. Two, I knew that after college, the support I was getting from my family had come to an end. It was up to me to do something to get my daily bread," she says.

With this huge task in mind she finally settled on the business of making natural juices.

A little savings set her off.

"At the time I started the business, many people were shifting from processed juices to naturally-blended juices due to health reasons. The business did not require heavy financial investment and I was looking at something that I could easily manage."

After investing Sh3,000 by acquiring a simple blender and fruits, she has been reaping big time since early last year.

"We should stop complaining about lack of jobs in this country and embrace opportunities that come our way. By using the few resources we have we are likely to make it. It is not good for us to expect solutions if we are not putting in effort albeit small. The money that I began with came from hard sacrifices and savings. I was not expecting additional money from anywhere."

At the end of each day, she makes about Sh2,000.

Much of this daily income is put into a savings account; money she wants to help her achieve a new goal.

"I am looking at establishing an exclusive natural juices restaurant in the city. The demand for these juices is growing daily. I get more and more new customers. It is good business."