Working to Get Ahead

It’s a familiar routine. Usually around 9:00PM on a Monday I sort catalogues. The catalogues are then placed in a small trolley to take out and deliver the next day. I do it with my dad after he comes home from work.

While delivering the catalogues, I usually listen to my favourite songs. They are from the 80’s. When I finish delivering and arrive back at home, I confirm the delivery on the website and payment is sent into my sister’s credit card. We share it 50–50. This is my only source of income for purchasing the things I want, like games, computer parts, etc.

I started doing catalogue delivery earlier this year. At first, I only received a small number of brochures which I could deliver using my bike. But a few months later, the company that I worked for started sending more and more catalogues. I could not deliver that many using my bike. It was unfortunate but it does not matter because more catalogues = more money! As of right now, I feel like quitting the job, but it is my only source of income.

Hanging out with friends helps clear my mind from my stressful school life and boost my social skills. I don’t always hang out with friends but when I do I enjoy their presence because I’m the type of person that likes to be alone.

Muhadib Fauzi Hanafi,

Age 15

Born in Jakarta, Indonesia