“I have been a coconut vendor for the past 10 years.  I took up this job because I had to support my husband and provide good education to my children. I learnt how to cut coconuts on my own. It is a skill that I picked up slowly, and have now become an expert at it. My day starts at six in the morning and ends by about seven in the evening. My coconut stall is at BRTS road so it’s convenient for me to travel as I stay nearby, in Madhura nagar junction.

Most of my customers come to drink the coconut water only to have the tender coconut pulp inside. They even ask me not to use the straws. These days, I am refusing to cut open the coconut shell to remove the coconut pulp. My intention is not to deny their request, but if a person who is infected with the virus drinks the coconut water directly, without using a straw, there are chances that the virus could get deposited on the coconut brim. So I am requesting most of my customers to opt for takeaways. Many think it is wastage of food and money to throw the pulp away. It is difficult to go against the customer’s request but I will have to abide to the safety precautions given to us by the government officials. I am trying my best to take all the necessary precautions to make sure of the customers’ safety but still, the sales are drastically low.

We are already in losses due to the lockdown and now, with monsoon almost here, very few people are coming to drink coconut water. I have two children, the older son pursuing Bachelor of Computer Science and the younger son pursuing Intermediate. I know the road ahead is rough but I will work extra hard to make sure my children’s future is secure!”

#COVID19 #Business #Impact #StreetVendors #Mother #Motherslove #CoronaVirusPandemic #Street #Indiaeveryday #Coconuts #Lifeisstreet #Family #Struggle #Daily #Employment #Loss #Streetvendors #Hardwork #Hope #Future #Education #Andhra #HumansofAndhra