Elderly Indonesian Man Persists in Selling Furniture Despite Economic Hardship

In the bustling city of Bogor, Indonesia, 67-year-old Abah Nunu remains a symbol of resilience, pushing his mobile furniture cart through streets and neighborhoods. Originally from Tasikmalaya, he now lives in a rented room in Bogor, sharing it with fellow vendors. His daily routine involves navigating various areas of the city, selling household items like pots and pans from his aging cart.

Despite the physical demands and the harsh realities of his work, Abah Nunu prioritizes his faith. He makes it a point to perform his prayers on time, even pausing his sales to find a nearby mosque. This commitment to his religious duties, even amidst financial struggles, serves as a quiet testament to his values.

However, the economic climate has taken a toll on his livelihood. Abah Nunu laments that his daily earnings have dropped from around 100,000 Rupiah to a mere 30,000-50,000 Rupiah before expenses. He notes that people are now repairing old items instead of buying new ones, a clear indicator of reduced purchasing power. "It's important to be healthy, to be able to walk, to be able to earn a living," he says with a smile, though the lines on his face deepen with the weight of his struggles.

Adding to his financial concerns is a small plot of land in his hometown, Tasikmalaya. While he can harvest about 400 kg of unhusked rice every 90 days, the costs of seeds, fertilizer, and labor amount to Rp1,500,000 per planting season. After milling fees and selling the grain at approximately Rp700,000 per quintal, his net profit for three months is only around Rp1,020,000, translating to roughly Rp11,300 per day. This meager income highlights the profound economic challenges faced by many in the region.