Dili, October 18, 2024 (Média Democracia) – Mrs. Fernanda Gomes, 45 years old from Ermera, currently lives in Tasi-tolu, Quarantine complex, she lives as a trader who runs a small business on the sidewalk every day to meet her family’s needs.
According to Mrs. Fernande’s statement, she has been working as a trader by running a small business such as selling cigarettes and phone credits so that she can earn income to meet her daily needs and pay for her children’s school.
“The money I use to run this small business started from $ 200.00 since 2017 I used the money to buy basic necessities to sell at home, but because it didn’t sell because many people opened stalls to earn a living. Therefore, I have a plan to ask my husband to make a cart to put the merchandise so that I sell on the side of the road because there are many people there so they can buy, but lately, the market management of Dili municipality has always chased us away so I decided to leave my cart at home and only bring cigarettes and credit to sell on the sidewalk.” She said
She added that the cigarettes and phone credits she sells every day can be bought for $10.00 to $15.00. But it all depends on her fortune because many also sell cigarettes and phone credits on the side of the road to earn a living to meet their living needs.
“Although there are many people selling on the roadside, I still try to compete with others, it’s a matter of each person’s fortune, whoever is lucky and fast can get more than 20.00 USD in a day, those who are less fortunate can get 10.00 USD or even less, because here there are also many people selling small things like this. In the morning I have to wake up early to prepare lunch because I only eat here and will continue selling until 19.00,” She added.
She continued, even though the business she was running was a small business and her turnover was mediocre, it was not a problem, the important thing was that she could get money to meet her daily needs and pay for her children’s school.
“I have three sons and two daughters, currently my two sons cannot continue their studies due to financial constraints, therefore we decided to stop their education until high school. One of my sons is still in junior high school and my two daughters are in high school. In the future I will send them to college. I hope with this small business I can help pay for their college fees.” She said.
To be clearer, Mrs. Fernanda Gomes is a trader who earns a living in various ways, but she still tries hard to create small businesses such as selling cigarettes and phone credits on the side of the road, even though her income is very small, she can meet their needs and pay for her children’s school fees.
Reported by : Nelfiano
Photo : Nelfiano