Sami Al Dhahouri, Khasab (Sibi area)What I have learnt very early in life is to grab all the opportunities that come in your way. Some opportunities are like sand, they could slip through your fingers. But I tightly grabbed hold of the chance to make a second income....
Alpesh Maharaj, priest, Shiva Temple, Oman MUSCAT – My heart fills with joy upon seeing the devotees at the temple once again. It is important that we all wear masks, practice social distancing, and follow the rules and it is also necessary to shut down...
Ismail Zadjali, Employee, Shiva Temple, OmanWe went from social distancing to near alienation as the temple closed for the past two months. During these months, I have come to realise how much I craved human connection. Not being able to be among the many devotees...
Fousiya Ismail Nurse – Covid wardI have lost count of the times that I, and my colleagues on the frontline, have almost broken down seeing such pain at close quarters. I have been a nurse for many years, yet, I confess that I have seen nothing like this: COVID-19 has...
Abdul Rahim, BangladeshiFor nearly four decades I have been toiling relentlessly, making sure that my dear children benefit from my sacrifices. I can proudly say that I have been able to fulfill those dreams – I have educated my children well; guided them rightly on...
Abdul Manaf Indian, SalesmanWhat brought me to Oman? Family obligations!A year and a half ago, I left my hometown to come to Oman and eke out a living. It was not just to find a job, but I have a major responsibility because my ailing father needs all help and...
Mohamed Yaseen, Indian, Baladiya workerI come from a small village in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. But, I am blessed to reach from there to here in Muscat, Oman. I belong to a big family and I am actually the seventh child. So you can imagine the struggle of my parents to...
Hussain Imran Indian (Karnataka), traderWe are yet to recover from the shock of the Coronavirus pandemic. I have been running a small trading business for the last 12 years. It was not easy to run the business before COVID-19, but now, after it, things have become...
Abdul Talal, Pakistani, freelance shifting workerMy sole aim, for the last three years of my stay in Oman, is to start a small business and hopefully make good earnings and then start a family. I am currently young and single, but I have this dream and I want to make...
Ali Khamis Al Wahaibi, Muttrah souq supervisorI am always a positive man. I believe in it. I believe in the adage, “when life throws you lemons – make lemonade”. People may wonder why I am always smiling, especially in times such as this. But, if times are...
Kamarudheen, Indian 35 years in Oman, cargo supervisor What is the workingman’s dream? What else but to be free of debts and a better life for my family!Fate brought me to Oman some 35 years ago. And I am grateful that I am here. Oman is my home now, though my...
Yahya Rashid, Omani Sugar distributor I have been in this business long enough to know how to steady my boat even in a ‘storm’ (like the one we are all in now). I have never given up hope and believe that a day will come for me when I will land on the shore of...