Always moving ahead

Another in my series of translations of Dia a Dia’s People like me. The real stories of real micro entrepreneurs in Panama.

Echa´o pa´lante

Evidelia Velásquez | DIAaDIA

Sitting under a sun umbrella, Felipe García sits with his cause of selling candy, combs and other things to survive.

Felipe is 72 years old and retired. For the last 10 years he has had this little stand for selling lots of little stuff helping out with the daily expenses.

Felipe says that his pension doesn’t suffice and for that he decided to sell his own stuff and it has worked out well. He insists that those without a job at the moment should put themselves to fight “for their things” and start their own business. It is the best way of surviving and at the same time show that you are an honest worker.

For this Panamanian life wasn’t easy. In his youth he worked as a mason. After 17 years he has now earned himself his pension.

He feels proud of everything that he has accomplished in his life, because he never once had to do anything dishonest to feed and raise his kids.

“With this business albeit tiny and in this location where I get soaked by the rain or burnt by the sun I earn for all of us to eat every day. Another thing is that I support my family and I feel useful. I don’t have to be living with my children or from charity”, said Felipe.

“I think this is one of the most important things that we as adults need to conserve and it is the example that we must show the youth”, he continued.

“Never in your life should you let yourself feel like you have lost, even if the situation is very difficult. There is always something you can do. Succeeding is only a question of putting your mind to it and keeping faith in God.”, Felipe assures us.

Products

Felipe sells tissues for $0.25, 3 candy for $0.05 and combs for $0.25.