Confectionary vendor reflects on 10 good years

IT all started when Vanessa Thomas, a mother of one, became bored of staying at home with nothing to do after her small hairdressing business had slowed down.
Anxious to occupy her time, and after being inspired by her sister, who at that time was attending the Kuru Kuru Co-operative College at D’Urban Backlands, Vanessa started to sell confectioneries at the roadside in front of the said school.

SCHOOL VENDING
Vanessa sold a few days at the location and because of the poor attendance at the college, she then went across the road to the nearby Enterprise Primary School and set up her small stand.

There, she realised she had a chance of making a few dollars. That was more than 10 years ago, and today, Vanessa can still be found at that location vending confectioneries, beverages and snacks.

Over the years, she has earned a spot inside the compound of the school where she has a makeshift shed and a stand for her items.
“When I used to sell on the roadside, I used to get sales from people passing but now I am in the compound, I am confined but satisfied because the children keep me busy, especially, during the break-periods,” she said.

The West Ruimveldt resident told the Pepperpot Magazine that she did not foresee herself being a school vendor, but she really likes it, simply because she got to appreciate being around children.

PROUD
Vanessa said, “Some children who would have formally exited the school system and are grown now with good jobs- a few, who remember me, would still pass by the school to check on me and that in itself warms my heart.”

She noted that some children, who passed through the very school, she is very proud of because they made something of themselves and now hold good jobs like soldiers and policemen and women.

She particularly remembers a group of siblings who never missed a day of school, but she knew that the lived in a single-parent household and it was not easy for them.
Thomas said she paid special attention to those children while they were at the Enterprise Primary School, and gave whatever she could to them to brighten their days, and today those children are grown and turned out well.

She said, “I feel good when the children, although bigger now, come around and still call me “Aunty” because it goes to shows they did not forget me even all these years.”

STORIES
Vanessa explained, that for her, every day with the children is an experience, she would hear all kinds of stories and even if a child is short on cash, she would give them whatever they wanted because she has grown accustomed and attached to the children, who make daily purchases.

She told the Pepperpot Magazine that children will be children, meaning that some are mischievous but she knows how to handle them.

Vanessa pointed out that by dealing with children five-days per week from 07:00hrs to 15:30hrs, she has become familiar with them and she would know who is not well or if a particular child is depressed or has ‘trouble’ at home.
The woman stated that being there selling is never a dull moment because the children are so smart, and the things they would say it just makes her day, with the things that come out of their mouths.

Every day, the little ones would spend whatever money is given to them by their parents. She stated that from the time they arrive at school they would start spending, even though most of them would have their lunches.

But for those who do not bring lunch, she has affordable lunch available at $300 which comes with a beverage. Thomas said she would get up early to start her day, since she would prepare some snacks to sell and that takes time because she believes in providing wholesome food for the children.

Vanessa said that vending is not an easy task but she is used to hard work. She even mentioned that she admired the woman who was selling at that location for more than 40 years, but who retired because of old age.

She said she met the lady there selling but her children stopped her from selling recently. Just like Vanessa, the woman had grown to love children and it became more of a hobby for her.