Petty trading is a venture common among people of low income earning power, people with little money to take up bigger businesses. But often, people lose sight of the fact that this venture, which has been the starting point for many successful prominent business tycoons today, has gone a long way in alleviating poverty, thereby changing the lives of many more who depend on them.

With an interest in how business is going for petty traders in Serrekunda Market, the Daily Observer spoke to some of the market women engaged in petty trading, who were unanimous in their assertion that it improves on their lives, as it also greatly minimises the impact of poverty. The segment serves as a source of income for the daily upkeep of families of the people involved in it, both in terms of the provision of daily meals, support to school children, as well as solving other personal problems. This is a fact echoed by all those that we spoke to.

“This business is good because through it, we help ourselves and our families. It is through this that I am able to join hands with my husband to support the education of my children, as well as the daily upkeep of the family,’’ said Mama Manjang, a petty trader at the Serrekunda Market. Mama said she has been in the business since the days when the daily revenue collection used to be only five bututs. While appealing to other women to consider exploring the secret in petty trading, Mama stressed that the venture has minimised the impact of poverty in her household. For Mariama Sowe, also a petty trader at the same market, it enables her to aid her husband in meeting the demands of their family. “If your husband is not financially strong,” she said, “you are obliged to assist him in the upkeep of the family.’’

Having been in petty trading for almost six years now, Mama  maintained that although her husband takes care of the expenses of her children’s education, she contributes to the upkeep of the family in other ways. “I never got the courage to venture into petty trading before, but when I explored its secret, it became a venture that I will ever cherish,’’ she said. In the view of Jainaba Sano, another petty trader, the trade is very vital in that it reduces the effects of poverty at the household levels.

“Petty trading has greatly reduced the effect of poverty at the household level. It enables me to maintain the esteem of my family by not depending on others for support,’’ she said, and added, “although it is a business that requires great patience, with hard work and commitment, one will not cry of poverty.” Another petty trader, Awa Sillah, said she has been in petty trading for almost 20 years, emphasizing the benefits she gained for herself since she got involved in the trade.

The general feeling is that petty trading is a trade for women. But men too are actively involved in it. Ebrihima Bah is one of them. A Guinean national, he has been engaged in petty trading at the Serrekunda market for a while now. He also described the trade as key to reducing poverty. Through this venture, he told the Daily Observer, he has been able to support his family back home in Guinea.