Housewife sells homemade juice in Abu Nseir to support family

AMMAN — Three years ago, Um Mohammad decided to spend her Ramadan days differently from other housewives in her family and neighbourhood.

The mother of six prepares juice at home and sells it on the side of the road near her residence in the capital's Abu Nseir area.

"I sit under the umbrella to sell Ramadan drinks from 2pm until the time of the maghreb prayer," Um Mohammad told The Jordan Times on Wednesday, noting that she and her 15-year-old son alternate that responsibility so she can go home and cook.

Although her stall does not bring her more than JD5 every day, Um Mohammad finds it a "good" way to support her family in making ends meet even with a "modest" contribution.

"I hope one day I can collect enough money to expand my project and buy a slush juice machine and another for ice cream," she said, adding that neighbours and passers-by who buy her lemonade and tamarind juice often come back for more.

"My family drinks that juice, so I make sure it is clean and tasty," she said.

As the wife of a retiree who is unable to work, Um Mohammad took it upon herself to find other sources of income that maintain her dignity, such as helping relatives and neighbours prepare food for feasts.

With her youngest child still at school, Um Mohammad has five elder daughters who were not able to finish their high school education as they required private tuition to pass the General Secondary Education Certificate Examination.

"None of my daughters holds a degree, because educating them means spending money that we do not have," she said, adding that she still pins hopes on being able to provide for the education of her son.

One of her daughters works at a store in a shopping mall only to pay the JD200 house rent as well as the water and electricity bills.

"We manage with my husband's pension and whatever additional income I can bring," she said, encouraging other women with similar living conditions to do the same.

Standing near Um Mohammad's stall was Um Mousa Ajjouri, a regular customer from the same neighbourhood.

"I prefer to buy Ramadan drinks from Um Mohammad to support her efforts to help her family," she said, adding that the taste of the juice she prepares is similar to that sold in big stores and bakeries.