Dili, June 16, 2026 (Media Democracia) – Martinho de Jesus Soares, from Ermera Municipality, Hatulia-A Administrative Post, Manusae Village, Bauana Hamlet, currently lives in Kuluhun Village, Has Laran Hamlet. He works as a vendor selling flags of countries like Portugal, Brazil, Argentina, France and others in front of the Government Palace area.
Young man Martinho de Jesus said that while selling flags, buyers of flags from countries like Portugal and Argentina are the products that many football fans buy to show support for their favorite teams.
“Every day, after school, I keep selling flags starting from 2 PM until 8 PM at night. From this small business, many days I can earn up to US$10 per day, even though sometimes it’s less than that. So my plan from selling cigarettes and phone credit until today, I’ve continued selling these flags since 2019. At that time I started by selling bread, and I saved that money until US$50.00 dollars which I used again to continue the business selling cigarettes and now also selling flags when the World Cup competition starts.” said Martinho in front of the Government Palace, Wednesday 16/06/2026.
Even so, he remains grateful and happy with the daily results he gets from selling flags during this year’s World Cup competition.
“The money I earn every day from selling flags and cigarettes is what I use to pay for school and boarding. Right now I’m a 3rd year student at ESTV 28 de Novembro from the Electronics department and I plan to continue to university level after finishing my secondary studies so I can bring good results to my family, especially to my dad and mom. Even if I can’t give them something big yet, I’m ready to make mom and dad happy with the small things I can do.” he said.
Martinho also left a message for young people, saying that as youth we should focus more on activities that can bring benefit to the family and to our own future.
“My message to friends is don’t just think about problems, because problems don’t bring benefit to the family. We ourselves have to make mom and dad happy, we have to be good youth for the family and think about the sacrifices that mom and dad make for us.” He reminded.
Martinho de Jesus Soares hopes that in the future he can achieve his goals and contribute even more to his family and society.
Report by: Trainees Juliana and Baquita
Photo: Trainee Juliana