Dili, January 10, 2025 (Média Democracia) – Jacinta Monis Pereira, 25 years old from Bobonaru, now lives in the Tasi-tolu Quarantine area. Every day she always carries out activities running a small business on the sidewalk to meet her living needs and pay for her younger siblings’ course fees.
She said that she had been using 70 USD and living as a trader to run a cigarette and credit sales business on the side of the road so that she could get money to meet her living needs.
“Life as a trader, never get bored and ashamed to work, do it according to your own abilities, so you don’t depend on other people and the state, you have to try by yourself by starting a small business so you can earn money to meet the needs of your family and pay for my younger siblings’ school fees.” She said.
She continued, she pioneered the small business for one year and she opened it with her own capital, she did not borrow from other people because when she wanted to run a business she had to prepare capital so as not to fail.
“My daily activities so far are selling LA, Surya, Malboro, Esse, Joker cigarettes, water including fuel. I like selling here because this is a terminal and accommodates people from three municipalities such as Ermera, Liquiça and Bobonaru so these items are easier for people to buy. If we don’t sell these items, people will have difficulty buying them.” She added.
She admitted that she bought LA and Malboro cigarettes from a Chinese shop for $2.00 for LA and $2.50 for Malboro, Esse cigarettes for $4.00, one plastic Joker for $7.50, a small glass of water for 0.25 cents, and a large glass of water for 0.50 cents, including fuel for $2,00, so that every day he earns an income of $15,00 to $20,00.
To explain further that the small business she was running had been running for a year on the side of the road, although in the activity of selling her merchandise she experienced various obstacles, but she still tried to achieve her dreams because through this business she could fulfill her life’s needs including sending her younger siblings to school.
Reported by : Nelfiano
Picture by : Nelfiano