Female delivery rider Khin Min Shin prepares to deliver food in Yangon, Myanmar, May 18, 2020. (Xinhua/U Aung)
by Khin Zar Thwe
YANGON, May 29 (Xinhua) -- The restriction of sit-in dining at the eateries across Myanmar during the COVID-19 pandemic have let food delivery services ride the waves since a couple of months ago.
Khin Min Shin is one of the risk-takers who want to challenge things in life while making a living.
It has been more than three weeks since Khin joined the riders' team of the foodpanda, an international food delivery chain, the first step of her into the world of unsung heroes for the food lovers of Yangon.
Almost the whole day riding on her bike does not make Khin worried about being infected by the virus. "I'm not afraid of being infected, but afraid of bringing the virus home and get my family infected. So, I'm taking a good care of personal hygiene," Khin told Xinhua.
Female delivery rider Khin Min Shin (L) picks up an order from an eatery in Yangon, Myanmar, May 18, 2020. (Xinhua/U Aung)
Although some delivery companies have introduced contactless payment system, the system has not been broadly used by the customers and most customers are still relying on a cash-on-delivery system in the country.
"I try my utmost to follow health measures like physical distancing or using hand sanitizer while delivering meals to the customers," Khin said.
The couriers like Khin have been boosting their energy to work hard in pursuit of prosperous life by staying strong against the crisis which the country is facing.
Khin Min Shin rides 14 to 17 routes daily depending on the orders made by the stay-at-home yangonites.
Female delivery rider Khin Min Shin is on the way to deliver food in Yangon, Myanmar, May 18, 2020. (Xinhua/U Aung)
Taking a break from her trainee life at one of the upscale hotel chains in Yangon, Khin, 20, debuted as a female delivery rider earlier this month, inspired by her aunts who are also running some small delivery services.
"Extent of exhaustion is, of course, different if I have to compare my current rider life and pervious job. But, riding a bike isn't unfamiliar with me and that's what I love to do," Khin recounted her previous hotel staff life with riding a bike to and from her workplace.
Female delivery rider Khin Min Shin disinfects her hands during work in Yangon, Myanmar, May 18, 2020. (Xinhua/U Aung)
As a young girl, doing such tiresome food delivery job does not seem to bother Khin at all. It is not gender in itself which matters, it is one's ability to do the job, Khin said with confidence.
The only thing that concerns Khin is the traffic accident. "I am only worried that I might have a traffic accident because I sometimes get nervous and rush along with my mind being busy thinking how to deliver the order as quick as possible when the order is delayed for some reasons. It's quite dangerous."
Female delivery rider Khin Min Shin delivers food to a customer in Yangon, Myanmar, May 18, 2020. (Xinhua/U Aung)
"I need to make a living. Although my income is only a small portion of support for the family, still I can, somehow, support my family," she said.
Due to her family's financial situation, Khin gave up her childhood dream of being a flight attendant which was inspired by the TV series she grew up with, in which the characters were flight attendants.
"I will stick to this job as far as I could do, as I'm doing what I love and it could help me earn a living as long as I could work," Khin said enthusiastically.
Being one of the three bread-winners in her seven-member family, her only dream now is to be a great supporter who can give what her beloved ones want.
Female delivery rider Khin Min Shin contacts a customer by cellphone in Yangon, Myanmar, May 18, 2020. (Xinhua/U Aung)■
