Merry
Mission Journal November 12, 2004 Entrepreneurs Just because people do not work for a company, does not mean that they do not work. Almost everyone in Malawi does something. Every inch of arable land is tilled and planted. Each family has a “garden.”They plant Maize (corn) and vegetables which hopefully will supply them with enough food for the entire year. On top of that, most people do something else as well. This country is full of entrepreneurs. If people have just a little bit of capital, they start a business. Her marketing plan takes into account rush hours. Hundreds of people walk in front of our house in early morning and late afternoon, so that is when she is out there selling. The rest of the day she does housework and takes care of the four children. She tells us that she sells out every day. Everywhere you go you see little booths set up. People sell everything from cell phone covers to sugar cane, tomatoes, security locks, beach towels, ski caps, strawberries, surge protectors, enameled tin dishes, penny candy, flower pots, CDs, onions, baskets, clothing, eggs, etc. It is a sight to behold! There are some people who are much more aggressive salesmen. “Madame, you need some oranges today.”It is a statement not a question. Others, who are more mobile and have their wares in portable baskets, chase you down the street, “you take very nice carrots.”
Other entrepreneurs set more elaborate shops. There are dozens of “chip”booths around the areas where people congregate. When it is time for the Secondary Schools to let out, you will see people with propane or charcoal burners frying up potatoes. The students get a healthy helping of French fries topped with a relish of cabbage and tomatoes for less than a quarter. Usually there are long lines of people cued to get the filling snack. Another business venture that flourishes here is the “telephone bureau.”A shack of some kind is set up, and inside you will find a person with a phone or cell phone that you can pay to use. Most people can’t afford phones, and I have only seen one phone booth in Malawi, so these bureaus are very popular and profitable. Beth Merry |