Palmira Maria's radiant smile lights up her face when she is asked about her business. In the rows of stalls lining a dusty alley at the Comoro market in Dili, hers stands out among those selling food and clothing.

She sells toys. The appearance of toys, a symbol of fun and youth, among the daily necessities of fruit and vegetables, rice and soap, are a welcome sign that East Timor is entering a newly optimistic phase. Beside the toy stall is a small kiosk selling costume jewellery. Here, the entrepreneurial Palmira has employed her brother to man a stall so she can diversify her wares.

For Palmira, running two businesses is an enormous step forward. Her business was started just over a year ago with only 150,000 rupiah (A$30) in capital. She heard about Opportunidade Timor Lorosa'e (OTL) from a friend who also ran a stall in the markets. With four children aged 18, 16, 14 and 12, she and her husband have worked hard to build a thriving business.

At first they received their supplies for the business from across the border at Atambua in West Timor, but the freeing of trade and availability of goods locally means that Palmira can now buy what she needs from a wholesale supplier in Dili, at a reasonable cost. Palmira is now on her third loan from OTL and has boosted her daily income to 500,000 rupiah (A$100).

With OTL's help and reinvesting their profit, they plan to keep expanding their business. With each day, she and her husband move closer to achieving their dream of putting their children through university so they can improve their lives and make a contribution to their new nation.

 

DSBN is pleased to be involved with Opportunity International as a donor sponsor.  Each month, the $120 DSBN donation supports one new small business impacting up to 15 people each month.  An inspirational and worthy cause!

.