Dili, 23 February 2026 (Média Democracia) – Life’s hardship are like stones that make loud noises, but the remains smilling with the words of hope, “tomorrow will be better than today” because he’s meatball (pentolan) who sells hope as a step toward a better life in future.
Agustino Rando Oqui, 16 years old, from the Special Administrative Region of Oe-cusse Ambeno RAEOA, Bobometo Post, Bobo-ufe Village, Tumin Hamlet, has stopped his studies to help his father sell meatball (pentolan) in Dili Municipality, thus helping the family’s economy.
Agustino said he stopped studying after 7° grade, because he wanted to help his father sell meatball (pentolan) in Dili Municipality, so he could earn some money to help with family needs, and also save some to continue his studies later. Besides that, Agustino has a dream for the future to become PNTL (Timor-Leste National Police), so he can fight for the nation of Timor-Leste.
“I stopped studying at Tumin Hamlet Primary School (Ensino Primariu) in 7th grade, because I wanted to help my father do small business activities like selling meatball (pentolan), so I could earn some money to help with our family’s economy. I also have a thought to continue studying, so for now I have to try hard to earn money by selling meatball (pentolan).” Said Agustino Rando Oqui
Oqui added, during that time his family was facing various difficulties at home, so he decided to follow his father to Dili to make a living. The activities he does daily include pushing a cart along the roadside to sell meatball (pentolan).
“In 2025, I came to Dili to live with my father in Kampung Baru and do business selling meatball (pentolan). Every day I push a cart along the roadside carrying around $25 worth of vegetables. At 3 pm, I push the cart from Kampung Baru to Manleunan Market, down to Beto, and if I haven’t sold everything, I push to Tasi-tolu so I can sell it all. If not, I have to head home at 7 pm.” Oqui recounts.
It is further explained, Oqui as the eldest son from a family, stopped his studies in 7th grade in 2025, because he wanted to help his father do small business like selling vegetables in Dili Municipality, so he could earn some money to help with the family’s economy.
Reporting : Nelfiano
Photo : Nelfiano