Dili, March 14, 2025 (Média Democracia) – Carrying out a profession as a trader is indeed not easy for everyone to do, but this also depends on the efforts made by each person, when you want to achieve success you have to fight against various obstacles, because all of that depends on the time that can be used to meet daily living needs.
According to Maria Casamiro, 19 years old from Atsabe, Ermera, who currently lives in Tasi-tolu, she created a small business on the sidewalk to meet her daily economic needs.
“I started a small business from October 2023 until now. So far I have sold four brands of cigarettes, namely Malboro, LA, Surya and Tanus, including Telemor and Timor Telecom credits. The money I use to buy these items comes from the transportation money given by my parents for school, I always save because I want to do business and pay for public transportation myself.” She said
She continued that so far she had been doing business in Tasi-tolu on the sidewalk, but seeing the situation where many people were also doing business on the sidewalk, so there were goods that did not sell like previous time, therefore she decided to look for another place where there were no people to do business and it is easy to sell there.
“Previously in October 2023 I opened a business in Tasi-tolu, but seeing the situation there, many people also opened the same business and sold in nearby places, so my cigarettes only sold for $ 8.00 – $ 10.00 a day. Therefore, I decided to look for another place to sell my cigarettes on the roadside in Beto, Nicolau Lobato roundabout. Just three months ago from January until now, every day I always get $ 20.00 and above. However, I only sell for half a day, when I get home from school I always get 15 USD, very different from when I was still in Tasi-tolu.” She added.
She admitted that he used the money she had earned to pay for public transportation to school and buy daily necessities, and some of it to buy sugar, coffee and soap to send to her parents in the sub-district so they could use it.
Explained further, Maria is currently in 12th grade of Senior High School of Finantil, she decided to start a small business in order to earn money to meet her school needs, because she does not want to depend on other people, because she wants her future to be bright, so she tries and studies with the strength she has, so that she can turn her dreams into reality.
Reported by : Nelfiano
Picture by : Nelfiano