Single mom wants job
Written by Millennium on July 3, 2019
MUTINTA MULAYE writes
A 26-YEAR-OLD single mother of Kalingalinga Township in Lusaka has appealed to well-wishers to help her provide a better living for her two children and take one of them to school. Getrude Chisenga, mother of a seven-year-old girl and a three-year-old girl, said she tries to make ends meet by doing casual work in the University of Zambia (UNZA).
She washes clothes for students.
“It’s tricky because the security in UNZA chase us if they know we have gone to look for piece work there. So we have to work secretly. I go with a friend of mine who does the same and we go only on Saturdays and Sundays when it is easier,” Ms Chisenga said.
She said she makes about K70 on a good day if she washes for three people and K100 when she washes for four.
Ms Chisenga said she saves the little money she makes to buy food and some few things for home use.
She rent for her house at K300.
Ms Chisenga said her husband left her in 2017 and she has been forced to do everything for her children on her own.
“Life has been hard after he left. The children would have been better off if their father was around. Sometimes we can’t even afford to buy bread. I’m also forced to leave the children home alone when I go looking for piece work because I can’t afford to pay someone to watch them,” she said.
Ms Chisenga said she stopped school after reaching grade seven because her parents could not afford to meet requirements for Grade 8.
“So all I have is a grade seven certificate. I’ve tried to find employment here and there, but no luck. Even in maid centres. I would appreciate if someone out there could hire me for a better job because piece work is not always reliable,” Ms Chisenga said.
She encouraged other people just sitting home doing nothing not to be ashamed of doing all sorts of piece work even as they looked for better jobs.
