Struggling to make ends meet

By Muhuyupe Soranzi
FOURTY-five year-old Weso Peplemol sells goods on the streets of Port Moresby to look after his wife and three schooling children.
Peplemol, from Yemnaik village, in Mendi, Southern Highlands told The National last Friday that he started selling hats, belts, socks and other items on the streets since 2007.
“Prior to being engaged in this informal business, I was working at the Konedobu service station on a contractual basis,” he said.
“When my contract expired in early 2007, I then engaged in this informal business using the little money paid to me by the Konedobu service station.”
Peplemol said he normally bought his goods from Lot 60 in Gordon, Brian Bell and other big supermarkets in Port Moresby.
“I give money to some of my friends working in these shops to buy goods on staff prices then I sell them on the street of Port Moresby.
“The locations where I sell my goods quickly are Boroko Tabari, down town and the Jacksons airport where there are lot of customers.”
In a day, he earns about K60 to K80. The highest he makes is K100.
“This little that I earn is used to buy food, pay children’s school fees and other needs and wants,” he said.
“At times, all my goods and money are taken by the police and I go home empty-handed.”