Street talk: 'I have good friends here and my customers are good to me'

Abu Dhabi - 34-year-old Mohammed Sekandar, a newspaper boy from Bangladesh speaks to Khaleej Times.

Just as others get into their beds for the night, Mohammed Sekandar gets out of his. His day starts at 1.30am. He has to receive the newspapers and deliver them to the doorsteps of 160 customers before they wake up in the morning. On his well-used but well-cared for bicycle, it takes him five hours to do his rounds. But he doesn't complain because at 7.30am, he can finally take it easy.
It wasn't lack of opportunity back home that brought Mohammed here. He has a flourishing garment business in Bangladesh, which he entrusted to his younger brother in his absence.
"I have always wanted to have a business since I was a young boy," said Mohammed. A dream realised, yet a bigger dream beckons.
"I want to buy a farm and land to build apartments. There is good money here, I get salary and commission. So maybe after 20 years I can go back home and join my family."
"I have been working here eight years and I'm happy. I like my job," said the 34-year old.
There doesn't seem to be anything that dampens this man's spirit. Despite having to work everyday for a week, he said he looks forward to Fridays when he could get to play his favourite sports with friends - basketball and badminton.
"I have good friends here and my customers are good to me. They give me extra money, sometimes Dh2 sometimes Dh5. Other people also give me water," he said.
And what makes him smile more nowadays? He found himself someone he can share his dreams with.
"I am getting married next year, I am very happy," he said, grinning.
olivia@khaleejtimes.com
Interviewed by Olivia Olarte-Ulherr Street talk is a weekly column to get a glimpse of people's lives in uae

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