Ex-volunteer turns first aid skills into thriving business

Champion Cleaning Services founder Damaris Ngina at Nation Centre in Nairobi on Monday. Photo/Salaton Njau 

By MERCY GAKII,

In Summary

• Damaris Ngina uses knowledge gained at St John to educate househelps on how to handle domestic emergencies.

Damaris Ngina volunteered at the St John Ambulance while a university student for four years where she learnt and gained invaluable life-saving skills.

“I learnt how to handle emergencies such as nose-bleeding, bandaging wounds, intervening in the case of choking, and other incidents that otherwise turn bad if not attended to,” she says.

Her experience at St John gave birth to a business idea. She had been training friends and house girls in her neighbourhood. One day, someone appreciated her work and paid her.

“That’s when I saw a wonderful business opportunity. I decided, why not train househelps in basic life skills as well as start a home cleaning services?” says Ms Ngina.

“For Sh1,500, I train a househelp for two days. Most of the times, the employer tells a friend about my work. In the process, I may also get an enquiry to clean seats or other upholstery.”

She equips them with skills such as first aid, basic hygiene, cookery, etiquette and money management.

“I chose to train househelps because almost all of them go to seek employment but are without skills for their trade, and yet their employers expect them to do splendid work,” says Ms Ngina.

“They are left in charge of a home, children and without an idea on what to do in case of an accident.”

The entrepreneur, whose training as a teacher has come in handy, also educates the domestic workers on time management, fire safety and personal growth.

She issues a certificate upon successful completion of the two-day training. However, the service has challenges.

“Some girls can be very unco-operative during the sessions while others even come with their personal problems,” says Ms Ngina.

“There are even some who quit employment as soon as they receive their certificates.”

For the cleaning business based in Nairobi, she invested Sh5,000 as start-up capital, which she spent on detergents, scrubbers and to hire equipment. Ms Ngina used some of the cash to employ casual workers when the work became overwhelming.

She markets her work through word of mouth, social media and client referrals. “I advertise myself on Rupu, and other social media sites where I have created a page about my firm — Champion Cleaning Services.”

The business also serves clients in towns neighbouring the city including Nakuru.