(Dili) Santa-Cruz- Marcelino da Silva, aged (68) continues to struggle every day to sustain his life alone in the area of Taibesi, Dili. Originally from Ossu, Ossu Administrative Post, Ossu Suco, Belas Village, Viqueque Municipality.
Marcelino said that although he did not have a large capital to start the business, he started with a small amount of money to sell malus, which he prepared himself. currently, he chooses to sell on the roadsides in Taibesi, because the competition in the market is very high and many people sell the same product.
“I don’t have much money to start a big business, but I just started with what I have. The important thing is not to stop selling,” said Marcelino in Santa Cruz to Media Change.
During the last two years, he lived alone in Dili and often returned to the mountains to gather betel pepper to sell in the city. Daily income is not fixed, but he can earn up to 20 dollars a day, and in a month can reach 100 dollars.
“Sometimes it’s less, sometimes it’s better. But I’m grateful to be able to sustain my daily life,” he said.
Marcelino affirms that despite the difficult life, his other family continues to motivate him, this service helps sustain the family, although his grandson died three years ago and now he lives alone in Dili-Taibesi.
He realized that every day, he left home at 7 am and returned at 6 pm. While selling on the street, the biggest problem he faced was the climate conditions of the rainy season and hot days became a big challenge for him because he walked only.
“If it rains or the day is very hot, people buy less, but I have to continue because this is my life,” said Marcelino.
In the future, he plans to expand his business by selling tobacco and fruit to increase his income.
“I want to increase my small business, to have more income to sustain my life,” he plans.
Marcelino’s story shows that even with advancing age, with effort and strong will, people can continue to fight to sustain life and find a way to a better future.
Journalist/inten : Olersio de Carvalho
Editor :Manuel Andrade
