This archive report was first published on 10 January 2020.
The Coffee Factory Clerk: A Relic of the Past ¶
January 10, 2020
As I walk past the old coffee factory, I'm reminded of the days when coffee was life. The factory, once a bustling hub of activity, now stands as a testament to the changing times. The wooden gate, once a symbol of hope and prosperity, now leans precariously, a reminder of the decline of the coffee industry.
The coffee bean drying terraces, once a sight to behold, are now overgrown with weeds. The sorting sheds, once a place of precision and care, now have leaking roofs. The only thing that still works is the trusty coffee-weighing machine, a relic of a bygone era.
But it's not just the factory that's changed. The people, too, have moved on. The clerk, infamous for her mean sense of humor, has finally retired. Her legacy lives on, however, in the memories of those who had to endure her wrath.
For those who grew up in the coffee-farming community, paying school fees was a daunting task. The clerk would dispense chits that paid school fees, but only after a grueling process. You'd have to line up, almost a mile long, from the clerk's office, and wait for what felt like an eternity for your turn.
The clerk, with her heavy horn-rimmed glasses and tight hair bun, would ask the inevitable question: 'Hii mwaka mliweka mbolea kwa shamba?' ('Why should I pay your school fees and you always come last in class?') You'd hold your breath, wondering if you'd made it to the top of the list or not.
But times have changed. With Co-op Bank's M-Pesa Paybill number, paying school fees is now faster, safer, and more convenient. No more lining up at the coffee factory clerk's office or worrying about losing your chit. You can pay through M-Pesa, and have peace of mind knowing that your school fees are taken care of.
So, the next time you walk past the old coffee factory, remember the clerk who once held so much power over your life. But also remember that times have changed, and paying school fees doesn't have to be a daunting task.
