Students of Gendia Boys High School, Homa Bay, have ventured into barber business to polish their entrepreneurship skills.
Through their school club dubbed Aflateen, the 35 learners are exposed to entrepreneurial skills to be able to make ends meet and sustain themselves after school. The money earned is also helping them to supplement their school fees.
They are majorly Form 1 and Form 2 learners with the majority of them coming from less privileged families.
The learners shave their fellow students at a cost of Sh50 per head, which they save. Those from less privileged backgrounds are able to pay a percentage of their school fees as well as cater for their personal needs from the savings.
Aflateen club was established in 2019 under the Lake Region Development Programme. Part of the club's name ‘teen’ was derived from the word teenagers, meaning it's meant for young people between the age of 14 and 19 years old.
Its main purpose was to equip students with entrepreneurial skills that would help them in life.
Another reason for the creation of the club was to help students become self-dependent so that at the end of their studies, they could start their own businesses in case they were unable to get white collar jobs.
The club’s matron Mercy Karagai says the initiative has helped both the school and the students.
“It has helped the students manage their time as they are able to get a shave within the school perimeters rather than wasting time going out of compound seeking such services,” she said.
The club has also ensured students are tidy and well shaven at all times besides generating money to help some of the club members meet their school fees demands.
“The money charged for getting barber services is shared among the students and those who have challenges in paying fees are able to raise the money through the savings,” Karagai said.
All that is needed to become a club member is an application letter after which the interested party undergoes an interview process conducted by the patrons before he is accepted into the club.
“We do an oral interview as we also put into consideration their academic performance,” Karagai said.
However, the students are required to possess some basic knowledge in shaving, whether from interacting with barbers or through experience. “What counts is their experience while interacting with barbers,” says the patron.
After succeeding in the interview and becoming a member, one needs to use his experience and skills to undertake their work as barbers since the club does not offer classes or tutorial on the same.
The Chief Principal of the school James Okeno who is also a patron says the club has thrived as a result of economies of scale.
“It is easy for the students as they charge only Sh50 per head,” says the principal.
Currently, the school has a population of 2,280 students and this provides a ready market for the future entrepreneurs, so they do not need to go far in search of clients.
If all of the students are shaved within a month, says Okeno, a reasonable amount of money could be generated.
The principal points out that before the club came into existence, students from humble backgrounds had challenges in paying their fees, buying personal items, raising their pocket money as well as paying small levies in the school but not anymore.
Just like Karagai, he reiterates that the club has been a blessing to these students saying, “When students are sent home for fees, these ones can even pay up to 60 per cent of their fee from their savings.”
He notes that this is an achievement on the part of the students as well as the school, citing that the administration tries to supplement the remaining amount for the learners when need be as a way of appreciating their efforts.
Courtesy of the County Woman Representative Joyce Atieno Osogo, the club has a number of shaving machines as the leader donated five of the gadgets to them.
This initiative by this school to inculcate the spirit of hard work and entrepreneurship skills in learners is a step towards strengthening the young generation’s resolve for a better future.