30 year old George Gaya is the 2nd child in a family of 3 boys. Gaya is the true definition of an industrious, diligent and dedicated man. He currently has more than 4 sources of income which he said has created some level of independence. He is multilingual as he can speak and understand Spanish, French, Portuguese and Italian alongside English, Swahili and dholuo.
He was born and raised in the Western part of Kenya. At birth, the parents noted he was blind and the journey of defending and sourcing the best for their child began. At their village, he was the only known child with visual impairment.
George has not had it easy as at 7 years of age, the father lovingly enrolled him in the Kibo school for the blind in Kisumu and soon after the father returned home, He passed on under mysterious circumstances. Her mother was convicted for the capital offense but miraculously after 7 years she was released.
During this time, a relative was committed to ensuring that he remained in school as it was his fathers wish. At the school, wellwishers noted him for being a good performer and also not going home during the school holidays. One thing led to another and this family adopted him to continue with his studies in the USA. They were good and generous enough to sponsor him through primary, secondary and tertiary education. He came back to Kenya after university, started sourcing employment and when none came forth, he realized he needed a Kenyan recognised degree to be able to secure employment. He enrolled at Kenyatta University for a degree of Economics - Finance option with the help of the adoptive parents and the little he was making from his side hustles.
Armed with his degree, he started looking for employment where he faced various discriminatory responses and actions. For Instance, he finished an interview and just before he could leave, a panelist said, “that gentleman is perfect but who will be walking him around and how will he even be typing”? This broke his heart, since childhood, he had this passion for technology and writing which he decided to turn into self employment.
He started writing blogs and one day someone from standard media group read his article and referred him for an interview which he aced. He was picked as an author for Standard media from 2022 to date. He was also engaged at a friend's shop where he would do phone and laptop repairs majoring on softwares.
The part time jobs allowed him to acquire several academic writing accounts where he has employed more than 15 university students.
With time he got a contract job with the UN Kenya as a translator where he goes several times in a month.
Recently he acquired a videography set which he hires out for events/occasions.
Since the time Gaya ventured into business, he had been desiring to access a credit facility to advance his businesses but he had heard stories from friends and peers of how creditors would harass and mishandle their customers and he had lived with this phobia all this time. He preferred mobile lending apps to those he had to have a physical interaction with. Six months ago, he needed around $600 to purchase a key item for his Camera and it was then that he was introduced to 4G capital by his mother. Upon contacting Pipeline office, he was met by a very welcoming team who visited and assessed his business. In a few hours time he was approved for a financing of $300.
“For the first time I saw a company, moreso a lending company that focused on my capabilities and not my visual impairment. They educated me well on the loan terms and benefits just like any other customer, I would surely refer 4GC to other business people”.
Gaya had received training on keeping business records from 4G capital which he said was very impactful as he was able to separate the earnings from the various sources of income that he has.
Since he took his first loan, he said his camera has been in very high demand until he is planning to purchase a second set.
His profits from the camera business have increased from $250 to $450 in 4 months. Other than purchasing another camera set, he desires to have a classic parking bay in Nairobi and have an office which would enable him to serve a wider range of customers. “I believe 4G capital will fuel my ambitions and I will keep my part of the obligation”
In a parting shot, Gaya said he is proud of the person he has become, especially overcoming the fear of facing financiers.
He wishes to use any platform available to spread awareness to employers and service providers to always look at PLWD from the angle of their abilities and ambitions and not their disabilities.
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