SLC26-W5 | Street Business Diaries: Education and Children's Products

Whenever I think of school days, I remember those little shops near the gates that held all the magic, notebooks with superheroes, pencils that made writing fun, and sweets that felt like a reward after a long day. This week, I decided to share with you the story of one such shop in my neighbourhood and its owner, Rabiu.

Rabiu has been my go-to seller for children’s items for a while now. He used to have a proper shop, but earlier this year the government demolished it during a market restructuring exercise. Since then, he has been staying by the roadside on market days, arranging his goods on wooden tables just to keep his business alive. When I asked him why he keeps coming despite the challenges, he smiled and said, “If I stay home, my family will sleep hungry. This is what I know how to do.” That answer stayed with me.

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1. What is the most in-demand educational product for children near schools in your area?

Rabiu told me that his fastest-selling items are exercise books, pencils, and erasers, especially when a new school term begins. Children also love the small puzzle toys and balloons hanging from strings on the edge of his stall. He says he arranges them there on purpose because he loves to see children smile when they point at what they want.

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2. Have you ever bought children's products from these stores? Show pictures + videos and show their prices.

Yes! I buy from Rabiu regularly. Just last week, I bought crayons and storybooks for my daughters. Here’s a list of some of his products with their prices in Naira and STEEM:

Item	Price (₦)	Price (STEEM)
Exercise Book (40p)	₦150	1 STEEM
Pencil (Pack of 12)	₦300	2 STEEM
Eraser	₦100	0.7 STEEM
Crayon (12 Colors)	₦500	3.5 STEEM
Toy Ball	₦700	5 STEEM
Story Book	₦1,000	7 STEEM

(Exchange rate used: 1 STEEM ≈ ₦150)

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3. Have you noticed any changes in your child's learning after using the store's products?

Absolutely. Every time I get new crayons or a new book, I see a spark in their eyes. My younger daughter will rush to draw, filling pages with colours. My older daughter loves reading bedtime stories and sometimes pretends to “teach” her little sister. These simple items make learning exciting for them, turning ordinary evenings into creative moments.

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4. Do you think these small shops in society are contributing to the education and happiness of children?

Yes, without a doubt. Shops like Rabiu’s are more than businesses; they are tiny centres of joy and learning. They make school supplies affordable and accessible, even for low-income families. Seeing children gather around his table, holding books and pencils, reminds me that education starts with access, and access often begins with people like Rabiu, who show up no matter how hard life pushes them.

As I left his stall today, a little boy was clutching a new exercise book like a treasure. I smiled because I knew that book might be the start of his next lesson, his next dream, and it reminded me why I keep buying from Rabiu, because every sale is helping a child stay curious and a father keep hope alive.

📍 Location: [//]:# (!steematlas 9.0567 lat 7.4969 long Kabusa d3scr)
Google Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/hhFk9G6HTBrkx2acA