For those who are employed either in the public or private sector, being fired is a constant fear you have to live with. For whatever reasons, whether of your own making or otherwise, you might be rendered jobless at any given time.
What would be your next move if you were to lose your job? Lucy Wanjiku Ndun’gu , 36, was sacked from a low paying job because she went on a maternity leave. But that turned out to be her path to millions.
Mwangi Muiruri spared a moment with her and below is an excerpt of that interview.
How did she lose her job?
She thought getting pregnant was a normal biological thing and that her employer would share her joy. Instead , she was fired with her sacking letter indicating that the Kiambu based NGO she worked for as a research assistant could not afford to pay for a ‘vacancy slot’ in its work budget.
How did she feel about losing her job?
I could not believe that a pregnancy would be a source of employment misery. I was a graduate in business management and was earning Sh16,000 with an NGO that empowered grass roots groups in Kiambu district.
What happened after she delivered?
After I delivered I had to stay at home with my baby. I asked my husband Amos Ndung’u to buy me two rabbits as pets. I wanted them to keep me busy. It’s these two pets that introduced me to the cottage industry that I have built to unimaginable levels.
How did she start the rabbit business?
My husband bought me two graded rabbits. Today I operate a daily stock of 1,500, worth Sh1.2 million. I only had 12,000 which all went to nil when I delivered. I borrowed SH 10,000 from relatives. I then joined a merry go round group with nine other members. We would contribute 1,000 per week.
Meanwhile, my two rabbits had multiplied to a stock of 200. I used them as collateral to get another Sh20,000 from a micro-finance.
Who was her target market?
They were my fellow farmers who were commencing rabbit breeding following a market craze that had started to rage following campaigns from Kenya Institute of Organic Farming.
How much can one make from rearing rabbits?
With only one doe, a farmer can make at least Sh64, 000 in a year. A weaned rabbit has a market value of Sh2, 000 translating to a minimum of Sh16, 000 within a month.
A mature buck and doe are valued at Sh3, 000 and a served doe Sh5, 000.
How much does rabbit meat sell?
A kilo of rabbit meat stands at Sh500. Skin is being bought at Sh300 a pelt. The prices keep on rising.
How much does it take to start rearing rabbits?
With 10,000, you can start off. This business has very low operations costs and the produce has a ready market.
Who buys rabbit meat?
Major five star hotels, the Department of Defense and supermarkets are placing tenders for white meat. Already there are rabbit butcheries in Nairobi, Nakuru, Gilgil, Kiambu and Mombasa.
Did venturing into the rabbit business pay off?
By the year 2007, I had repaid all my loans and invested in shares as well as boosting my fixed deposit account. Today I am doing well and would not compare my former employment with my rabbit breeding business.
For the past three years, I have been financially stable and invested in various sector while retaining an impressive credit rating with lenders.
[Courtesy, Nation]
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