Kenyan Mtumba Seller Who Fasted, Worked Hard for Better Life Now Cruise Ship Stewardess

 

Melody Patricks, a 36-year-old Kenyan mother, has overcome numerous challenges to carve a path of success for herself and her 14-year-old son. Melody loves her job due to the international exposure it gives her.  She told TUKO.co.ke that her inspiring journey began in 2018 when she ran a mitumba shop, and life was tough. Melody Patricks started applying for jobs abroad Determined to find a better life, Melody embarked on a journey that would take her across continents in search of opportunities. Her first job opportunity came through a friend who connected her with a family in Bahrain needing a nanny. Despite the difficulties, she managed to work for three months but decided to return to Kenya with savings of KSh 100,000. "I didn't stay long and got a job in Qatar. Still, I was not satisfied, so I went back home after six months," she recalled. Melody Patricks worked 2 jobs in Dubai Undeterred, Melody then set her sights on Dubai, arriving in January 2021 amidst the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Facing a job market messed up by the crisis, she found herself in dire straits, sleeping in a parking lot with two other Kenyan ladies. "We would shower in a mall, dress up nicely, and head to the streets looking for a job," she asserted.  Determined to make ends meet, she eventually secured a nanny job with an Irish family and a part-time job as a night nurse in a hotel. Melody Patricks life took a positive turn The job entailed babysitting guests' kids for five hours every night, earning 150 Dirhams (KSh 5,000) every hour. With the impressive perks, her passion for nursing grew, leading her to pursue a course in Dubai while juggling work and school. "I had so many clients for part-time that I couldn't manage two jobs. I had to resign from the Irish family and focus on being a night nurse," she continued. Melody's fortunes began to turn, allowing her to purchase a car and build a stable life. Cruise ship dream came true However, her opportunities dwindled when they called off the pandemic, and guests started flying back to their countries. Undeterred by setbacks, she set her sights on Europe, applying to various agencies to pursue a career on cruise lines. She eventually secured a crew position with Viking Cruise, a role that opened her up to a world she had always dreamt of, prayed, and fasted about. Melody discloses that ship life is hard, adding that the speed is not for the soft-hearted and needs someone who knows what they want. According to her, the secret is to take it as a bridge to your next goal; otherwise, one would return home within two weeks. The silver lining is that many Kenyans are onboard and activities like parties, gym, spa nights, and going ashore. "There are no day offs, that is why they have a short contract of six months," she warned. She advises people to look at it smartly, as the job allows one to have hundreds of international stamps, which increases one's travel history. From construction worker to flight attendant Meanwhile, those who knew Betty Kilonzo two years ago remember her as a construction worker who earned minimum wage fixing floor tiles. The 25-year-old single mother, however, managed to pull herself out of the doldrums to become a flight attendant with a regional airline. Given her remarkable journey, Betty encourages those with unfulfilled dreams to persist, as things always tend to fall into place when they push themselves. 

by  Hillary Lisimba