Dili, January 14, 2025 (Média Democracia) – António da Costa, 64 years old from Liquiça, now lives in Tasi-tolu, he created a small business on the side of the road to meet the needs of his family.
According to António da Costa, who has lived as a trader for many years, he is not ashamed to sell on the side of the road so that he can earn an income to support his family’s economy because this business can finance his grandchildren’s education.
“The vegetables that I sell for my business are cassava leaves, spinach, green beans, garlic and shallots, papaya and others. If people bring them from Liquiça I always buy them for 20 USD, then I tie them again and one mustard green is 0.50 cents, one shallot and garlic is 0.50 cents, one cabbage roll is 0.50 cents. I sell these vegetables every day as my business and my field.” He said
He continued, the money he used to run this small business came from his pension money, which he then decided to use to start a small business selling vegetables on the side of the road so he could get extra money to meet his needs.
“Although the merchandise sold with a mediocre turnover because it only sells for 3 USD to 8 USD, but it also depends on the buyer because many people make a living by selling small things on the side of the road. However, this business is done individually to make a living in various ways how our vegetables can be sold and the income is to buy vegetables from other people, so this business will not stop while we are still strong.” He added.
He added that every day he always gets a decent income like 5 USD and above, but it also depends on the situation, if it rains then he can’t sell and the vegetables sometimes rot. Dili City Security made revisions and always chased them away, so his merchandise couldn’t sell up to 10 USD. But he kept trying hard despite facing various challenges.
To further explain that even though António is old, this is not an obstacle for him to continue running a roadside business so that he can still earn income to meet the needs of his family and send his grandchildren to school, because all his activities are always accompanied by the blessings of God Almighty.
Reported by : Nelfiano
Picture by : Nelfiano