Faheem, the Gaadiyaa Manager

Mohamed Faheem, aged 50+ manages a Gaadiyaa in Hithadhoo (Addu), and has been in this business for over a year now.

Faheem says that he does earn a good income from this business, but he values the most in this line of work is the sense of community it brings. He enjoys getting to know the different people visiting this local food truck.
Faheem noted that he didn’t use to have many friends before, but has since found many friendships in his customers. He also says that he enjoys getting to know new people and love the kindness and social bonds he has found in them.

Talking about the income from Gaadiyaa, Faheem says that he earns enough to install new upgrades to his Gaadiyaa as well as do additional businesses. He emphasizes that such a business is lucrative as he also gets to stay in his home island.

Faheem also pays extra attention to COVID-19 safety rules to ensure that his customers receive the best and safest care possible.

When asked what the gov’t can do for businesses like Faheem’s, he says that every entrepreneur must have a guarantee that his investment will be covered when starting a business, whether big or small.

While the Gaadiyaa area is a designated space by the Council, Faheem feels that this space can be taken back without a notice at any moment since there is no contract, preferably for long-term.

He also urges the public to keep the area clean. Faheem says that him sweeping his Gaadiyaa area every day is not a solution, and dislikes seeing empty plastic bottles, red spit, used tissues, cigarette filters and other garbage.

Faheem stresses that he needs the public’s support to maintain the cleanliness of the area. Faheem’s Gaadiya, named Beyrumathee Gaadiyaa can be found in front of Pebbles Inn guesthouse at Hithadhoo.

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