Women, youth gradually twist Ramadhan to income generating period

By Correspondent

Yams vendor Khamisi Anthony sells the items to a customer at Kariakoo around 8pm. Photo Khadija Amri

Who could have imagined that fasting month popularly known as ‘Ramadan’ would also become an income generating period to women and youths in the country!

 

It is in the minds of many people that, during Ramadan everyone who is fasting gets tired easily, some get off their offices earlier than any other month, while others partially quit from their current jobs exclusively for worshiping and other spiritual reasons.

 

In fact, majority are believed to get married just because they want partners who can make breakfast for them. But unlike the majorities’ thoughts, some few women and youth take it as a golden chance to make money. 

 

This paper interviewed exclusively two youth; Mama Ali (36) and Khamisi Antony (25) who are selling breakfast and food items respectively during Ramadan.

Mama Ali is a former waitress and a mother of two children. She was previously selling food at Ubungo for 8 months before she quits, to become a housewife. 

 

Mama Ali says food vending pays off, only if someone has enough capital because most of the times vendors encounter loss due to City police. 

 

“This is the only business which you will be sure of getting profit because everybody eats, but the problem is from the militias”, she said.

 

After facing too much loss and sometimes get physical attack from the auxiliary police, Mama Ali decided to quit and cook only during Ramadan. 

She has dedicated her life in food vending, where she believes after two years her life in terms of business will change.

 

Why only on Ramadan?

Mama Ali told this paper, she has had interesting in cooking for a long time but got discouraged from city auxiliary police.

“I chose this month for many reasons. First, only in this month city auxiliary police do not throw the food and it is rare to go back home with food because the demand is high. 

 

You know the nature of our city in terms of transport, many people work until late evening or even when they decide to leave early; traffic jam stops them from reaching home fast. So staying back and break their fast is the only solution for them to balance their works and fasting altogether”, she explained.

 

However, out of religion respect for others, the government has allowed food vendors’ to sell their breakfast. So no food will be thrown at this period. 

Mama Ali arrives at Kariakoo where she sells, at 5pm every day, and leaves at 9pm.

 

She earns up to 40,000/- per day from what she sells. With one helper whom she gives 5000/- everyday and after clearing daily transport fair, she takes home at least 35,000/- everyday.

 

She buys the food items which costs 10,000/- and sells the food at 1,500/- price per plate. Being the last born in a family of 5 children Mama Ali said, she has no hurry in life because she believes without preparation one might lose her passion. 

 

“When I started selling food earlier I had no plans other than getting daily meals and transport fair. I was a waitress whose life depends on the customers’ pity. So I did not gain much until I quit only had I realized how important it is to have life plans. 

 

Success is all about passion and persistence. I save the little I earn for the better future…My ex-husband takes care of our children but I can’t stay idle because I want freedom when it comes to expenses,’’ she says while adding  “So with time I believe things will get better I am just being patient and optimistic”

Furthermore, Mama Ali saves her money in merry-go-round play known as upatu with other 150 women, where she contributes 2000 to collects 300,000/- after every four months.

 

She is looking forward to become the best food vendor in the future, in order to support her family.

 

Yam is the most eaten food

Be it boiled with coconut cream added, yam is the favorite breakfast most people have during Ramadan. Mama Ali buys three pieces of yam for 1000/- and everyday she buys 21 pieces. Her customers are other vendors and those who pass by.

 

Salum Haji who is selling books and newspaper gets off his selling at 6pm every day except during Ramadan where he stays back until 10pm.

Haji who has been selling for 5 years now said the business gets better in this month because most vendors and buyers need each other.

 

“You see the plate by yourself I have just finished eating from Mama Ali where I must have a plate cooked yam with beans every day. In this month I over work because until late there are still people walk by, so the business pays off in Ramadan other than any other month”, he highlights.

 

Likewise, Khamisi Anthony who is Kiburugwa resident is also a food items vendor who operates only during Ramadan. 

 

This is the second Ramadan since he started selling raw yams last year where he was able to buy two motorcycles and send them to his hometown ---Mafia, where his brother takes care of them.

 

Anthony said the reason why yam is the most eaten food during Ramadan is because to grow such a crop takes at least one year.

“Most people judge why yam is eaten more compared to other foods! The reason is first when you eat it lasts longer time because it has high starch and carbohydrate.

 

The way we grow it is also different. If I plant it this month I will sow it next year, the same month. So most farmers target when it is Ramadan” he said.

Anthony buys one bag of yams at 150,000/- and collect 180,000/- after selling them. He sells a bag for two days, which makes him, earns at least 30,000 every two days.

 

Anthony’s parents have died two years ago, leaving him and his brother alone, who is now helping him out for his business.

 

 His two motorcycles give him 20,000/- everyday.

From the last years’ experience in earning, Anthony looks forward to invest more on the properties, He is planning to buy a land at Mbande located at Mbagala, right after Ramadan is over.

 

Kariakoo has been the largest agricultural market in Tanzania over 40 years since its establishment in 1974 to retailers, wholesalers, farmers and consumers. 

 

Since then there has been a movement to formalize all businesses, which aimed at keeping the city clean and let other street vendors to contribute to the national income.