Why Is Jjaja Still Working?

Tukooye (We’re tired)! Many of us are exhausted and longing for the day we can finally stop working at jobs that pay us enough to make ends meet. Given the choice, we probably wouldn't show up to work on those stormy Monday mornings. Sometimes it’s the work itself, other times, it’s management, our co-workers, or the environment. Sadly, a lot of us, don’t have the luxury of chasing our dreams because, “What if our dreams don’t pay?”

I read about an 85-year-old woman in the U.S. who was job hunting because her pension couldn’t cover her basic needs. She had taken out a second mortgage on her home, was struggling to afford food and heating, and yet she was the sole provider for her grandchildren. She was even paying for the granddaughter’s speeding tickets. Furious on her behalf as an as an African mama, I wanted to kidnap this Jjaja (grandparent), adopt her and give her some well-deserved rest. If her grandchildren are old enough to drive, surely, they can take care of themselves.

Surprise, surprise! Much closer to home, on my travels up-country, I met a granny making beautiful mats which she sells to local hotels and tourist hotspots. This was her side-hustle, it kept her young and in touch with her friends. They would gather every weekend to chat and make mats. However, at 65 years old, she still had a day job – breaking rocks at a local stone quarry – back-breaking work for even the most able-bodied of youths, but she kept at it to feed her family. Colour-me-shocked to discover that the grandchildren she was looking after were in their early 20s – brimming with energy and vigor, yet still sitting at home relying on Grandma’s daily wages. Apparently, they were waiting on offers of white-collar jobs in the city. For shame.

Not all young people are waiting for handouts, or for the stars to align. Recently, I met a 20-year-old high school student who has his money right. He runs a successful affiliate marketing business, and doesn’t rely on his mom for anything. His mother is very proud of the fact that all her boys are independent and know how to make their own money.

Perhaps rather than coddling, berating or criticizing our children, we need to do a better job at preparing them for the realities of the world and responsibilities of adulthood. Teaching them that money is earned, managed, and money matters should be openly discussed rather than avoided or hidden. Start early. Have honest conversations with your children. Let them learn from your and their own mistakes, and learn responsibility while the stakes are still low so that they can grow into strong, independent adults.

While the youth of today are surrounded by countless opportunities, many lack guidance and find themselves stuck in life. We need to engage them.

---

If you’re not sure where to begin, tools like the “Sente-Sana” Game by The Money Diaries can help break the ice in these sensitive conversations in a simple, fun, and engaging way – because building financially independent families starts with what we teach at home.

Watch the full video essays of this and other topics I've discussed here, visit and subscribe to my YouTube channel.

Let's build your future, together.

Image courtesy of FreePik