A day in a life of....A Street vendor

Jean Claude Twahirwa sells airtime and operates a mobile public phone locally known as “Tuvugane” in Kigali city. “I am multi-purpose,” he says explaining how he simultaneously runs the two businesses. Without disclosing his boss, he says he works for someone.

Saturday, February 28, 2009
Jean Claude Twahirwa.

Jean Claude Twahirwa sells airtime and operates a mobile public phone locally known as "Tuvugane” in Kigali city.

"I am multi-purpose,” he says explaining how he simultaneously runs the two businesses. Without disclosing his boss, he says he works for someone.

Below are excerpts of his typical day:

I wake at 6a.m, prepare breakfast and then bathe.
I have breakfast then leave for work. It does not cost me any coin to the work place since I stay in Kiyovu just near my area of operation.

By 8a.m I must be at work. I sell airtime both for MTN and Rwandatel and also operate a public mobile phone (Tuvugane).

I am always busy. As I sell airtime, other customers come to make calls. Its real hard work but I always try serving my clients in the best possible way.

At around mid-day, I go and have lunch at a nearby restaurant.  After lunch, I continue working. Work usually picks up in the evening as more people make calls and buy airtime. This is the time which mostly ties me up.

I stop working at 8:30p.m and go home. It only takes me half an hour to reach home. I bath, rest and have supper at a nearby restaurant.

At around 10p.m, I enter my bed.

Ends