In the busy streets of Golgotha, Windhoek, the sound of hammers and saws echoes from a small workshop. Inside, two men, a father and a son, Muhota Lucien Lukenge and Mainel Lukenge (19), work side by side. Their business, Lucyman Shop, is their way of surviving, dreaming and building a future.
Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Lukenges came to Namibia in 2015 as refugees. Life was never easy, but they brought with them one thing that kept them going: ‘hope’.
“I started doing carpentry in 2000 back in Congo. When we came here, we had nothing. But we used our hands and skills to start over,” said the father.
Every morning at 08h30, they open their small shop. There, they make and sell headboards, couches and other furniture. However, buying materials is expensive unless they buy through the black market.
“The business is going well, but it’s not easy. People mostly buy at the end of the month, and materials are very expensive.”
Despite the challenges, Lucyman Shop is growing. They have employed three more people, helping other men earn an income and learn the craft.
Maniel is also passionate about music.
“I do music, but music alone is hard. That’s why we depend on this business. It’s our lifeline,” he said.
Maniel said he always wanted to be a medical doctor, but life turned him.
“I enjoy working alongside my father. I used to watch him make beautiful headboards, couches and other furniture, and it was so beautiful to watch, and I learnt everything from him,” he said.
He added that, working as a family, they say, makes things better. “When you work with family, you understand each other. It’s better than working with people who don’t care,” he adds.
He noted that, if he was working for someone, he would not have learnt on the job as many people hire people who are more experienced.
However, the business still faces many struggles. Buying materials is complicated, and prices are high. They wish the government could step in and help.
“If the government helps bring affordable materials, we are ready to work hard. The quality of mattresses we buy from China is not the best, but it’s what we can afford,” they said.
Even with their refugee status, the brothers remain hopeful.
“We are not from here, but this is where we live now. If our business grows, it will change our lives. We still dream of becoming doctors one day,” he said.