Dili, January 8, 2025 (Média Democracia) – João dos Santos, 45 years old from Liquidoe, Aileu, now lives in the Taibesi Market, his daily activity is that he runs from Taibesi to Cristo-Rei to sell fruits on the side of the road.
João tells that he sells these fruits starting from he is 15 years old to this day, because to meet the needs of his family, especially for the future of his children.
“I have been selling fruits in Dili since I was 15 years old to this day. Previously I did not live in Dili so I had to walk from Liquidoe to sell in Dili and I had to walk starting at 04:00 in the morning, after I arrived at Balibar, the sun began to rise because the road I chose was closer and faster, because I had to Getting income for life, if the fruits sold have not been sold out then I also have to go home late. The fruits that I sell such as bananas, oranges, grapes, kiss and others, these fruits that I bought from other people and then I sell it again. I sell these fruits for $ 1.00 or $ 2.00 and the money that I got from selling some fruits to buy food and some to pay for my children’s school fees.” He said in Cristo-Rei, Dili
He added that although he felt that life was difficult but he continued to fight for this life through getting money, he felt tired because he always went from Liquidoe to Dili so he decided to stay in Taibesi to continue his business selling fruits.
“I am getting older so that I run far away I no longer have strength so I decided to live in the Taibesi Market to continue to sell fruits in a crowded place, and from Monday to Friday I sell in parks and beaches like Largo Lecidere, Motael Motael Park, 5 De Maio Park and Kampu Alor, on Saturdays and Sundays I continued to sell in Cristo-Rei and the Area-Branka.” He continued
He explained that although this life was very difficult because he did not want his children to scream for food and money, as the father of five children and the head of the family had to work hard to meet the needs of his children, to access education.
Reported by : Tomas
Picture by : Tomas