Dili, December 28, 2024 (Média Democracia) – Denis Ramos da Cruz, 18 years old, from Samalari village, Baguia, Baucau, now lives in Tasi-tolu, he decided to make a living on the roadside by selling coconuts.
He admitted that he got motivation from his older brother who made him want to sell coconuts on the side of the road and he only graduated from junior high school.
“I only graduated from junior high school and did not continue to high school because of my family’s economic limitations. Before I started this business, I got motivation from my brother who now lives with me, I started this business since 2018 until now. I started with a capital of 50,000 to buy coconuts, I always buy in Liquiça, Maubara, there people sell every five or six coconuts for $ 1,00 and I resell one coconut for $ 1,00. ” he said.
He explained that in order for coconuts to sell and get a good income, it is difficult to get income during the dry season and during the rainy season.
“During the rainy season, I get a small income a day I can get $ 50.00 – $ 70.00, but during the summer I can get $ 100.00 or more. I use some of the money for my daily needs, some of it to help my older siblings and some of it for my parents in the municipality so that they can meet their daily needs.” He added.
He added that the difficulties he faced were the market management or SEATOU who always chased them away and took their belongings and fined them $100.00 to take back their belongings. He said that he never felt ashamed to do anything as long as he could work to support his family, kept trying to work hard, he was only ashamed to steal, but for other jobs he never felt ashamed, kept trying, patient, persistent to get money for their lives.
Reported by : Tomas
Picture by : Tomas