Dili, October 9, 2024 (Média Democracia) – Juliana Fatima Ximenes, 31 years old from Baucau, Baucau-Vila, currently lives in Taibessi, she is not ashamed to earn a living on the side of the road, so she can pay for her children’s school and meet their daily needs.
Juliana Fatima Ximenes said that she had been running a small business on the side of the road for a long time with one of her friends, but because she felt unsafe and uncomfortable, she finally decided to sell on her own.
“I ran a small business on the side of the road from 2022 to 2024. Previously, I ran a business with my friend for a year, but because I felt uncomfortable, I decided to sell it myself, so I started saving up until I reached $ 180.00 and I started buying the things I needed to sell rice and I also started making a daily schedule. I started cooking at 5:00 am, after all the food was ready, I looked for a rental car to deliver all the rice to the front of the Ministry of Social Solidarity and Inclusion, so I could sell on the side of the road there.” She added.
She explained that this activity must be done every day to earn income, because earning a living in Dili is not easy, even though the daily income is just enough, she still have to be grateful.
“I am grateful and happy to be able to run a small business, because I always get income every day. The food I sell costs 0.50 cents and $ 1.00, I start selling from morning to evening and get $ 60.00, if it doesn’t sell out I take it home to eat, but I am grateful that it always sells out every day, through my small business I can help my family, and I manage some of my money well so I can buy things and some to pay for my children’s school, my plan is not to run another business because this small business can provide very good profits for me and my family.” She said
She added that living in Dili must run a business and not depend on a partner, we must also have a good mentality to run a business, so that we can support our partners. Some messages for women out there so as not to be ashamed and afraid to run a small business.
Reported by : Tomas
Picture by : Tomas