Dili, March 6, 2025 (Média Democracia) – Rosantina de Jesus, 50 years old, from Baucau, currently lives in Bebonuk, Dili. She lives as a trader who runs a small business on the side of the road every day to meet her daily needs.
Rosantina de Jesus said that for years she had lived as a trader in order to run a small business so that she could earn income to meet her daily needs and send her children to school.
“As a trader, every day I have to buy vegetables from Taibesi Market to resell. The vegetables that I buy every day at Taibesi Market, I always bring $10.00 or $20.00, the vegetables that I buy are mustard greens, long beans, tomatoes, garlic and onion, and potato leaves, so that people buy them quickly.” She said.
She continued, the vegetables she sells every day can sell for $ 15.00 or $ 20.00 but it also depends on the conditions because now it is the rainy season so the vegetables do not sell and after two days the vegetables start to rot and are just thrown away.
“I still run a small business on the side of the road despite facing various challenges such as during the rainy season and strong winds, not being able to sell on the roadside land because of the rain, so far we have been selling using umbrellas to store merchandise, if the weather is a bit hot we still sell, I order to get money to meet daily needs and my children’s school fees. I have three children, one boy and two girls, currently my son is married and my two daughters are still in school, one in high school and one in college, so I have to find money in various ways to meet our needs, because my husband is now old and can no longer work hard to earn money to meet the needs of the family. ” She added
She emphasized that through this small business she can meet her daily living needs and also pay for her children’s school fees. If she just stays at home she will not earn an income, so in order to provide for the welfare of her family she must try hard in various ways to earn an income.
Further explained that Rosantina is the head of the family because her husband is old so he does not have the energy to work to earn a living. However, through this small business she can earn income to meet daily needs and pay for her children’s school.
Reported by : Nelfiano
Picture by : Nelfiano