Afonso Pinto
Another day, another dollar

Job: Full time money exchange

There is a gang of boys and young men at the steps of the ANZ bank. The building is surrounded by black iron bars and the security guard is turning the sign in the door to  "closed".  Just as we start to worry about how we are going to get money for food and water, Afonso humbly introduces himself and offers to exchange our Aussie dollars.  

We look doubtful. We try to work out his exchange rate in our heads and he surprises us by offering his calculator. He is respectful, and has a professional, patient manner. He unfolds the bank's exchange rate papers with todays date -his rate is $1 better. He is 100% legit and we find ourselves charmed and slightly ashamed.  

Afonso started his business by selling the SIM recharge cards which kids on every main corner hold out to passing traffic. They make 20 cents for a $10 card, selling three maybe four cards each day. Afonso saved up enough to move into money exchange and is now making a dollar on each transaction. He tells us that $1 to $2 a day is good to live on.  

" I am the eldest of seven. I help pay for my brothers and sisters to go to school and help out at home with house repairs, food, books and clothes."  

  Jorge came to like him and wouldn't exchange with anyone but Afonso. One day he showed Jorge around town and while they talked he said, "Now that the Indonesians have left it is like a heavy weight has been lifted. We are free. I feel there is nothing pushing me down, I can go out at night, have my own business, do what I want to do."