I say it is the guts to get going and doing something to improve ones lot in life.

“Take the bull by the Horns”

At the moment with the credit crunch worldwide almost everyone is looking for ways to reduce their costs or augment their income.

Obviously what one can do in Africa compared to the western world is rather different but thought these ideas may get one going towards tackling something to make ends meet.

All the following people were actually unemployed and now they can take home money each day to put food on the table, clothe and educate their families.

Not one of these guys had huge capital if any to start their businesses.

Emanuel, the Egg Peddler.

Emanuel stays in one location all day at a mini bus taxi rank. His busy times are the going to work and the coming home crowd.

He has his eggs, a thermo box, saltcellar and a few spice bottles for the adventurous.

Actually when you think about it if you are feeling peckish and you don’t have a high cholesterol problem what an inexpensive way to grab a quick snack on the go.

Pedro, the Chocolate Peddler.

Pedro has a large shallow tray displayed with chocolates ranging from slabs, to bars, to Smarties.

It has a false bottom and this he fills with ice considering the high temperatures.

Pedro has a few busy streets that he walks up and down one of which has a school and he is always in front of the school when the children are coming in and out.

Unlike the rest of the world African schools do not boost facilities that sell sweets etc. on the premises.

Jose, the Match and Candle Peddler.

Jose has a huge bag on wheels full to the brim with matches and candles that he drags behind him.

He also has a box displaying his matches and candles.

In Africa it is very rare that someone buys a whole pack of candles so for many it is a daily purchase and much needed due to the unavailability and unreliability of electricity.

Coming myself from the Western world I have difficulty understanding why people do not buy a pack of candles at a time.

Jose peddles around the busy streets and gravitates towards the busy taxi and bus ranks in the latter part of the afternoon catching the home going people.

Alberto, the CD and DVD Peddler.

Alberto has a huge rucksack on his back and some DVD’S and CD’S in his hands. Incidentally they are always the latest that have just been released.

He wanders around the streets selling his wares. He says the bulk of his business occurs with the home going crowds, no doubt spur of the moment buying for something to do that evening at home.

Jorge, the Basic Necessities Peddler.

To me Jorge is really a useful peddler. He has a large shallow tray with a back going up about 12 inches/30 cms. You name it he has it from ear buds, to safety pins, to reels of cotton, to needles and so on.

He walks the busy streets of the city.

He says that when the traffic lights are red he goes into the middle and always finds one or two purchasers.

Tomas, the Iced water Peddler.

One would think that what Tomas sells would be a slow mover but it certainly is not especially in our hot summers.

Tomas has 2 coolers boxes on wheels one packed with ice and the other with large bottles of iced purified water plus packs of polystyrene cups.

He says he moves around a little but finds that even by staying in one place he sells plenty of water.

Vasco, the Pen and Pencil Peddler.

Who would think that Vasco would make a living well he certainly does?

Vasco has a board about 24 inches/60 cms. wide and the same in height.

Strung across the face of the board you will find every type of pen or pencil that you could wish for.

Vasco says he just wanders a certain route in the busy city streets and is more than happy with his turnover.

There is always something someone needs

These guys above got off their posteriors and have done something about their lives. I have the utmost admiration for them.

That’s what I call taking the INITIATIVE.

So no matter what countries you live in you can adapt these examples above and take the INITIATIVE to do something to earn and supplement your income.

Want more ideas contact me with pleasure.