OSHAKATI-A 14-year-old girl from Oshakati spends her school holidays helping her mother sell chips, sausage, fish and cakes to make ends meet.

Despite being mocked by other learners for selling in the streets, she continues to support her mother’s small business every day. According to her, this hustle is not just work; it is a family responsibility.

“I know our situation at home, so I help because I want us to survive,” she said. Anna David wakes up around 04h00 each morning to help her mother prepare the food they will sell. She said her day starts with peeling potatoes, packing containers, and lighting the fire.

“Before the sun comes out, we are already busy preparing everything,” she added. Anna said the most painful part of her hustle is the way some learners tease her when they see her selling in town. She explained that some laugh while others whisper as they walk past her and her mother’s wheelbarrow. “They mock me and say I’m too young to be selling in the streets, but I try to be strong,” she said. 

Despite the teasing, she said she continues helping because she understands her family’s struggle. She added that pushing a heavy wheelbarrow early in the morning has become her routine, even though it is physically tiring. “The wheelbarrow is heavy, especially when the road is sandy, but I still push because we need the money,” she said. David shared that helping her mother has also taught her responsibility and inspired her dreams for a better future. She explained that she wants to complete school and eventually support her siblings and mother. 

“My dream is to become a nurse so I can change our lives one day,” she said. Anna’s mother, Maria David, says she has been raising her seven children alone ever since their father left them without any support.She said she had no choice but to start selling food to feed her children.

“One day he said he was going to look for work, and never returned,” she said. Maria explained that selling food is not easy, but it remains their only source of income. She said waking up early to prepare and cook has become her everyday routine, no matter how tired she feels. “This business is all we have, so I cannot stop because the children rely on me,” she said. She also shared how much she appreciates Anna’s help, even though it worries her that the child is being teased. Maria said she admires her daughter’s courage and maturity.

“It hurts me when people shame her, but I am proud because she remains strong,” she said. Maria added that their journey has made their bond stronger, as they encourage each other during difficult days. She said even when business is slow, the two continue pushing with hope.

“We don’t have much, but we have each other and we trust that God will help us,” she said. As mother and daughter push their wheelbarrow through the streets of Oshakati, they hold on to the belief that their hard work will one day pay off.

“As long as we work together, we will survive,” Maria said.

-vkaapanda@nepc.com.na