By the time your kids have grown, you are bound to meet with all or some of these types of house-helps, The town-girlShe knows the job because she has worked a dozen other places ‘in the city’. Don’t ask why she has so many ex-employers. She has a very questionable past. Her make-up is overdone and she is very sociable. You will have to remind her that you are not interested in your children knowing swear words.The seducerShe’s after her boss’s husband and doesn’t see her as a threat. Not a big one anyway. She will dress in skirts with long slits, or tight jeans and try to get his attention. That is until her boss sits her down and tells her to dress properly. She will then try her skills elsewhere after noting that she is being watched.The ‘mother’She is not perfect but you will overlook her weaknesses because she treats your kids like her own. Your kids will love her and will go to cry on her shoulder when you spank them. You are wowed and wonder what you’d do without her. That’s until she elopes with the neighbor’s shamba boy and leaves you confused. You thought she had more sense than that!The eliteThis one just completed form 4. She is waiting to go to College and so, she didn’t want to stay idle. You are impressed! She’s very clean and organized. She knows English. She even reads the news papers. However, she is not very patient with the kids. You have to remind her to be more gentle with them. She has a phone that she uses regularly and might even ask for an advance to buy airtime.The MinorThis one is clearly underage. The whole world can see. The only reason you are having her is that you are really desperate. Your former girl has left and you can’t get leave at work, so this one is like a ‘stepping stone’ until you get a suitable replacement. She is a primary school drop-out and does odd jobs back at the village. You hope that you can be able to help her go back to school once this crisis you are having is over, in a week or two.You will be forced to do or re-do most of the work in the evening because she can only do so much. After a few days , her excitement will die down and she’ll just break down one morning and tell you that she misses home. The nannyShe’s only a little younger than your mum. Once married, she’s now separated or widowed. She even has kids of her own, who are in school upcountry. She is motivated by the need to find them school fees. Being a mother herself, she goes out of her way to make sure your kids are comfortable. She’s humble, respectful, and very efficient. She even cooks well. In short, she literally runs your house! If you say your prayers right, you might stay with this one for a decade, or even two!The Relative This may be your cousin, her daughter or any other related fellow, who may come temporarily to save the present situation. Bear in mind that this is not her ‘career’ so you can’t expect too much from her. She will behave like the minor even though she is not one. The only responsibility she has is the kids. However she will demand for full untaxed wages!
