Selling cold drinks on a small cart at Taman Mahkota Jubli Emas, popularly known as Eco Corridor, Muhammad Aiman Ashraf Naqiuddin bin Mohd Khirizal is no stranger to frequent visitors, from those doing sports to those on a family outing.
Seeing his parents’ finances stretched thin, he knew he had to mature faster as the second child of three.
He said as long as his actions are on the right path and blessed by Allah the Almighty, the word malu (embarrassment or shame) does not exist in his dictionary.
“Why must I be ashamed of doing something that is halal to help to ease the burden of my parents who have worked so hard to put food on our table and attend to my siblings’ needs?” he asked. While his father works as a personnel with the Royal Brunei Police Force, his mother is a fulltime housewife looking after the home and caring for the family.
“I may not be able to help much but I can do enough to take off one worry away from my parents.”
A Year 10 student at Sultan Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien College, Muhammad Aiman began selling drinks in 2013 with his parents.
Although he started very young, he quickly learnt how to do business and a few years later, confident despite his young age, he told his parents he could do it on his own.
At first, he sold cold drinks on foot from a cooler box. Later, with extra savings from his sales, he modified an old bicycle to carry his cooler box and let him move to better spots at the park. Muhammad Aiman, who lives in Kampong Mata-Mata, chose the park because of the heavy foot traffic. His father would drive and drop him off at the park before picking him up later.
“On school days, I would be at the park from 3.30pm until 7pm in the evening. On Fridays and Sundays or public holidays I do extra hours – from 2.30pm to 8pm.
“There are even times I would come early in the morning for a couple of hours until there are no more people at the park and come back later.”
After running his small business for close to 10 years, Muhammad Aiman has gained a circle of regular customers who would stop to buy drinks from him.
Some would even pay him extra to commend his efforts while others would have a brief chat with him while finishing their drink.
“This is also a reason I chose this park. It feels safe and fun to have people around being warm and friendly.
“Even those who don’t stop to buy would still give me a warm smile to keep my spirits up, especially when the weather is hot.
“Sometimes I also bump into my schoolmates but never have I felt embarassed or need to hide away.”
Muhammad Aiman said he intends to join the military when he completes his secondary education and is working hard to get good results to enable his dreams and start climbing the ladder.
“To fellow youth, don’t shy away of doing odd jobs that gives you a halal earning. Work wholeheartedly regardless of whether you are doing it for yourself or to help your family.
“Don’t be afraid of trying new and challenging things in life. Be adaptable to changes and always remember your humble beginning and struggles.” – Lyna Mohamad
