Six-year-old Nyima Boucaud learns how to earn an income

On some days, you can find six-year-old Nyima Boucaud at her mother’s clothing stall on Charlotte Street in Port of Spain.

For Crystal Daniel, bringing Nyima to work is sometimes the only way to ensure she is properly supervised.

But Nyima doesn’t mind. She enjoys the time she spends with her mother.

“I like being here with my mummy and watching her business,” she told Newsday Kids.

A first-year student at Belmont Government Primary School, Nyima wants to be a police officer. But she also wants to open her own store someday. So, she plans to do both.

“I want to open a nice store and I’ll name it Fancy Police Officer Store,” she said.

She’s learning a lot watching her mother, like how to interact with customers. But helping her handle money is the best part.

Nyima loves counting money and to helping to give people change.

On the day Newsday Kids spoke to Nyima, her school bag was on the vending table. She must revise her schoolwork and practise her reading skills while her mother sells. She also does schoolwork together with her sister when she’s at home.

But Nyima also wants everyone to know something really important about her.

What is it? Her favourite colour is pink and she has a pink purse which she carries everywhere. And, she enjoys playing with her dolls.

Nyima’s mother says she is ready to support her future goals.

“Whatever my children’s heart desire, once it is something positive, I am there to support them,” said Daniel.

“It’s all about respecting everybody in society. Whatever profession they (your children) decide to go in, support them as a parent.

“Whatever she decides to do, I’m supporting her.”

Proud of how well Nyima is doing, Daniel knows her daughter is destined for great things.

She wants people to stop judging street vendors.

She thinks it’s important for children to learn that there are different ways to earn an income.

“Everyone has this cliché of being a doctor and a lawyer, but everybody cannot be a doctor and lawyer.

“For example, if the entire world was doctors and lawyers, then…who will clean their offices?

“It’s time for us to come out of the mindset that certain jobs are better,” she said.

With the covid19 pandemic, Daniel said she has been able to teach Nyima a valuable lesson about life, and having her own business which provides a layer of financial security.