THE HAVES AND THE HAVE NOTS

This is a very queer world, where two classes of people exist, those who talk big and the ones who don’t speak at all. We call them financially dumb. What is actually referred to when we classify someone in the haves section? Talent and brains can make you a have, either way there are dubious ways that can land you there too. But only genuine ways keeps you up there. I always wanted to be a have. Once in high school a bossy classmate told me to either study hard or be a cunningly smart hustler. This was the silliest advice I ever heard from a friend. But, it struck me hard, I wanted to be both but how could I balance the two. So I approached him and asked him to enlighten me. “Simple, I can employ you” he said. Now that statement made me look at him in a degrading manner little did I know he came from a family that the chain was strong as its weakest link; In this place the weakest link wants to employ a fellow student. I became a hawker in school; since it was illegal I had to create the right environment.

The good thing about hawking in school is that you do it at night and only go round for few days, once you are recognized the student costumers will booze around your cube and cash will flow in. our goods were home baked biscuits and cookies which was passed through the school fence by my Somali friends sister and trust me they were very tasty. What amazed me was why somebody fuelled a Toyota Celica to smuggle biscuits and cookies. I thought it was a desperate move to get cash, but trust me I handled money, I really did sell. 

And just before I abandoned my studies to embrace the cookie kingpin, a stroke of the cane saved me and brought back to my senses. Anyway, I got to date a Muslim lady too.

As a have not, I worked at his bakery after O level. While waiting to join college he had joined United State International University (USIU).  And before I graduated he was out of sight. Not just physically but in terms of wealth too. Presently, as a procurement intern in his biscuit and cookie company he is a 23 year old millionaire who walks in and out of Dubai like his bedroom. A Swahili saying goes umoja ni nguvu (unity is strength). This is the major stamina of the haves.

While have-nots battle with poverty, the haves make their money work for them, to an extent of even evading taxes. Any way nothing can be done about it. They will always prosper no matter what mistake they make in life. So, let’s take the challenge of rising to their league. “Chase the proverbial carrot while you’re young. Save your little money while it’s coming in” Says Abdinoor.