Anneth Chepkoech has been a worker at Amazon since 2015. She currently works on Amazon’s microtasking platform MTurk. Born in Kenya, she now lives in the US. The story describes the upbringing of Mark, a young boy from Uganda whose parents landed an opportunity to relocate to Europe, changing his entire life.
“Life after Amazon” was inspired by the difficult moments experienced by Anneth as a worker at Amazon, including overwork and exploitation. In the story, Mark’s effort and hard work was driven by the urge to create a new platform just like Amazon that would benefit workers and not see human beings replaced by machines.
Uganda was the cradle of ancient civilizations. The Buganda, the Bunyoro, and the Toro kingdoms emerged as bastions of power and tradition, and as epicenters of Indigenous governance, each imparting their unique customs and rituals mirroring the lush complexity of the land itself. These dynasties wove their stories into the very fabric of Ugandan society.
The equatorial sunsets cast a warm glow on gatherings, where dance and music would coalesce in a symphony of celebration. From the rhythmic ebullience of the Kiganda dance to the intricate sway of the Bwola, movement has become an embodiment of cultural resonance, the drumbeats an aural expression of heritage, communicating stories and emotions across generations.
The Bantu’s epoch-forming migrations introduced linguistic diversity that still resonates in the voices of Uganda’s people. Animistic practices intertwine with Christianity and Islam, creating a syncretic dance of faith that harmonizes traditional spirituality with global religions.
The imperial juggernaut of British colonization brought change again, making indelible imprints, shaping education, administration, and the socioeconomic landscape. The legacy endures, intermingling with the pre-existing cultural matrix, a fusion of worlds, both distant, now proximate.
As Uganda navigates modernity, its heritage remains a lodestar, a compass guiding the nation through the currents of change. The tendrils of history, culture, and tradition interlace, crafting a narrative as rich and diverse as the land itself, inviting admiration and awe from all who seek to fathom its depths. This is where our story begins.
Mark lived a simple but joyful life with his loving parents and older siblings in the vibrant heart of Uganda. Even as a young child, he was known to have a smile that could light up a room and a heart full of curiosity.
One sunny morning, Mark’s parents called him and his siblings to the living room. With excitement and a touch of nervousness in their voices, they shared big news. “We have a wonderful opportunity. We’re moving to Europe!”
Mark’s eyes widened with a mix of astonishment and wonder. He had heard stories of faraway lands with towering castles, bustling streets, and unfamiliar languages. Although the idea of leaving the familiar markets and lush landscapes of Uganda was bittersweet, Mark’s adventurous spirit filled him with anticipation.
Time moved quickly as Mark’s family busily prepared for their journey. They packed their belongings, sorted through memories, and bid farewell to friends and neighbors. Mark spent his last days visiting his favorite spots in Uganda, savoring his trips to the market with his mother, sitting with the tree he’d tumbled out of when he was three, breaking his arm, and, of course, visiting his grandmother’s house. He carved each of those moments into his heart, vowing never to forget this beautiful land.
Finally, the day of departure arrived. Surrounded by suitcases and the hum of anticipation, Mark and his family said goodbye to their homeland and boarded their plane. Mark, lucky enough to have a seat by the window, watched the landscape of Uganda grow smaller until it was just a patchwork of color beneath the clouds.
After many hours of flying, the plane began to descend, and Mark gazed out the window again, amazed at how different everything looked, even from this height. The patchwork of colors that emerged from the clouds were in unfamiliar hues and the city on the ground was so much bigger than he could have imagined. Mark took a deep breath, feeling the energy vibrating inside him. What would life be like here? Would he make friends?
Santano was a vibrant megapolis brimming with energy and activity. Skyscrapers towered over the streets, their gleaming glass facades reflecting the light of the sun. Neon signs and colorful awnings attracted crowds of people to the beautiful streets lined with shops and restaurants.
The architecture of the city was a testament to its rich diversity, history, and culture. The narrow streets of the old town, with its wrought-iron balconies, contrasted with the wide avenue of the newer districts, lined with luxurious shops and sleek office buildings of glass and steel.
People of all races and ethnicities meandered the streets, speaking French, Japanese, German, and so many other languages. Even with all this hustle and bustle, the city was known for its tranquility and pockets of greenery. It was a place of contrasts and contradictions, where wealth and poverty, modernity and tradition, coexisted in a delicate balance.
As they settled into their new home, the family found themselves caught in the intricate dance of cultural assimilation. The resonant symphony of their mother tongue now felt like an arcane melody lost in a sea of unfamiliar sounds, leaving them adrift in an ocean of linguistic isolation. The customs of this new land were woven into a tapestry of strange colors, depicting labyrinthine histories and traditions that perplexed the family.
Mark’s parents worked hard every day, with perseverance and patience, but they had few material possessions and no extravagances. They taught Mark to appreciate the value of things that couldn’t be bought with money like love, kindness, and compassion. They didn’t burden him with the harsh realities of finding work as a newcomer to this city. Growing up, family had always been important, but navigating the joys and the challenges of this experience together had brought them even closer.
But though Mark loved his family, he yearned to make friends in this new land. Instead, he often found himself an unwitting observer on the outskirts of camaraderie, his laughter sometimes lagging behind the rhythm of shared jokes. His peers engaged in conversations imbued with nuances he struggled to decipher, the colloquial expressions that rolled off their tongues were riddles he wished he could unravel. The subtle cues of social interactions, as intricate as the brushstrokes of a masterful painting, eluded him like specters in the mist, though they haunted him long after the moments had passed.
But, as it does, inexorably, time passed and the family settled into their new life, embracing the challenges and joys that came with adapting to a new culture. Mark and his siblings slowly learned the language and began to make new friends at school. They brought their friends home, sharing their food and introducing them to the rich culture and traditions of Uganda. Their friends did the same. Eventually, Mark forgot about the nuances and the riddles, thinking nothing of roaring with laughter at the jokes his friends tossed around.
And, as he settled into the patterns of his new life, Mark began to explore his surroundings with a sense of curiosity reminiscent of his Ugandan days.
For Mark, the journey from Uganda to Santano was not just a physical move but a shift in identity. He grew into a young man who valued diversity, embraced change, and understood the importance of both his roots and his wings. And as he looked back on his experiences, he realized that home was not just a place on a map but a feeling of love and connection and the memories he carried with him wherever he went.
On one particularly warm and sunny day, Mark bounded out of the classroom as soon as the final school bell rang, an infectious excitement radiating from his freckled face. Slinging his well-worn backpack over one shoulder and forcing his messy mop of chestnut hair into his faded baseball cap as he went, Mark danced through the bustling crowd of students heading for the front doors.
He couldn’t wait to rush home and embark on his favorite father-son tradition: an afternoon of fishing with his dad. His family and friends knew well his insatiable curiosity and passion for exploring the great outdoors. From collecting rocks and identifying different bird species to learning about the ecosystems of nearby ponds, Mark was an unyielding force of nature when it came to satisfying his thirst for knowledge.
But fishing was not just an opportunity to learn about aquatic life and test his patience. It was a special bond shared between father and son. Though the frequency of their fishing trips had decreased over the years, Mark’s dad, Daniel, a seasoned angler with a heartwarming smile, always found a way to make their fishing trips memorable. Whether it was teaching Mark how to cast a line or regaling him with tales of legendary fish that got away, their fishing expeditions were some of Mark’s fondest memories. And they often reminisced about the many adventures they had embarked on as a family—all the more poignant now that his siblings had all left home.
Mark dashed into the house, “Dad,” he called, “I’m back from school!” He burst into his father’s small office, “Let’s go fi–” he began, but he trailed off, his heart sinking slightly, when he saw his dad’s slumped posture and the stack of papers on his desk.
Daniel looked up, his tired eyes meeting Mark’s eager gaze, and he rallied a genuine smile. “Oh hey, Mark. How was your day?”
Looking back at his father, seeing the slump of his shoulders, Mark saw the effort, the weariness. The sudden realization of the burden his father carried dampened Mark’s excitement. They wouldn’t be fishing today.
Mark stepped closer to his father and put his hand on his shoulder, the initial sprout of disappointment giving way to concern. Mark’s compassionate nature allowed him to understand the struggles his father faced. He knew that family always came first and supporting his father during this challenging time was far more important than his desire for a fishing adventure. His father placed his own hand over Mark’s and smiled up at him again. Grateful, apologetic. “We’ll go soon, I promise. I just need to finish up this project.” Mark squeezed his shoulder and dashed off, already planning his new adventure.
Daniel had been working as a software engineer at Amazon for many years now, after transitioning from his role as an IT expert in the banking industry. He had been so excited for that transition, moving from the conservative and regulated banking sector to the dynamic and fast-paced tech industry. As a bank IT expert, he had focused on maintaining secure and stable systems, adhering to strict compliance standards. At Amazon he would work as part of an agile team, developing cutting-edge solutions and contributing to innovative projects that impacted the whole world. He would gain new skills and learn modern software development practices—and there were opportunities for career growth. For the first time since moving to Santano, Daniel felt like he’d really made it. With this job, he would be able to give his family the life they had always wanted.
But when Daniel went to work, he found the company to be a bastion of ceaseless toil and pressure and the demand for productivity and efficiency wasrelentless. The oppressive atmosphere of incessant exertion and perpetual scrutiny undermined the well-being of its workers, ensuring they were forever in a state of distress and apprehension.
In Daniel’s mind, it was emblematic of the soulless machinery of modern capitalism. The endless cycle of long hours and the grueling demands of the corporate machine ground away at the human spirit, all in the name of profit. The labor mechanization created a depersonalized and dehumanizing environment that subordinated workers to the dictates of the assembly line and turned them into mere cogs in the machine. Being reduced to an automaton, expected to perform with unflagging precision and speed, had exerted an indelible impact on his psyche.
Most days, Daniel would come home lost in thought, clearly preoccupied with the heavy burden of his job. He would spend most of his time away from the family, tucked into his office with the door closed behind him. When he did talk about his job, he described it using technical terms and industry jargon that noone else in the family really understood. Despite Daniel’s efforts to insulate his family from his struggles, his unhappiness was palpable, hanging over the house like a dark cloud and casting a pall over everything and everyone around him.
Despite his father’s experiences, Mark was captivated by the digital realm and its endless possibilities. The realization that he could mold and shape the intangible contours of the virtual sphere ignited a fervor that set his soul ablaze. He wanted to be a part of that world. He marveled at the beauty and functionality of websites and soon found a singular purpose: to become a software developer capable of crafting an exceptional digital experience.
Mark dreamed about creating an online purchasing app just like Amazon, an online platform designed for the selling and buying of a wide range of products, where customers could explore and purchase products—but not at the expense of the workers. When he built his empire, it would be free from manipulation, mechanization, and racism. And it would support the people that worked there, embracing and encouraging their creativity and joy, not profit-making.
As this idea grew in Mark’s head, he began to obsessively gather information about software development, pursuing any opportunity to gain the skills required. His parents watched, fearful that Mark would find himself a mere cog in Amazon’s machine, just like his father. But shutting down his ideas was never their style. And so, they were ready to support him, despite the misgivings they tried to hide.
All he needed was a team of experts who could help him build the platform. Drawing inspiration from Amazon’s success, he reached out to programmers and website developers and designers, persuading them to join his cause. Together, they built the software and website, set up warehouses, and hired workers. And as Mark envisioned, they created a company that cared for its workers, valuing their expertise and welcoming them to share in the company’s successes.
Fueling this indomitable growth was an ecosystem of products and services meticulously tailored to cater to the multifaceted desires and aspirations of the global populace. Harnessing cutting-edge technologies, such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and quantum computing, the company forged an unparalleled digital infrastructure. This foundation laid the groundwork for an immersive shopping experience, seamlessly blending convenience, personalization, and sheer delight.
Word spread like wildfire, and more and more people came for the unrivaled convenience and sheer breadth of offerings provided by this transformative entity. Like iron filings drawn to a magnet, individuals gravitated toward the company’s digital platforms, enticed by an unprecedented range of products spanning every conceivable category. From the latest gadgets to haute couture fashion, organic sustenance to avant-garde art, this enterprise left no stone unturned in curating an ecosystem that catered to the most discerning of tastes.
“Mark, dinner!” his mother called.
Mark opened his eyes, feeling the joy of his success in his heart. Had he been dreaming such a wonderful fantasy? He joined his parents for dinner, a big grin lighting up his face, “Dad,” he said, “one day I’ll be a chagoira [website developer] just like you.”