Many people see their jobs and businesses as an avenue to affect many people’s lives holistically. This story from one of our workers, Golden, is one of such stories. Golden is a testament to a person’s drive to transform lives while offering a service.
In 2014, Golden was a tenant of a rundown residential apartment with fourteen apartments owned by a man I’d call Mr C. According to Golden, the house had sewage problems, water leakages and mounting water debts. Many occupants exited the apartments.
Only he, his family, and two other men didn’t leave. He looked crazy to live in the rundown apartment with his family. No one understood him. As Golden reflected on his stay in the Windsor West house, he realised his stay was purposeful for assignments today as a manager.
While Golden stayed in the apartment, he performed duties as a caretaker, helping Mr C to manage the place. Soon after, more tenants rented the remaining rooms. He had the responsibility of collecting rent – which he dutifully sent to Mr C – and ensuring the utilities were paid by each tenant.
A while later, Tradenet Africa bought the property from Mr C and kept Golden as the caretaker. He continued to manage the affairs of the rentals, managing the affairs of the apartment now owned by Tradenet.
Today, as a manager, Golden agrees that his experience as a caretaker of the residential apartments prepared him to manage a guest house. His integrity, encouragement and exemplary life have endeared many tenants and lodgers at the guest house to him. They’d seek counsel, encouragement, and prayers from him. Many have acknowledged that he has served as a source of motivation and encouragement to them. An example is when he had to give financial assistance and encouragement to a lodger who suffered a car hijack.
Even though he agrees that dealing with tenants’ and clients’ differences and complexities can be quite a hassle, Golden’s association with these tenants and lodgers has transformed families, healed broken homes and given hope to some.
He wants to touch many lives with his gifts of hospitality and create a welcoming environment for lodgers, allowing them to feel like they are a home away from home.