In an effort to make a change in the lives of vendors, a group of employees from Denarau Island provided bed sheets and other items for the Ladies Vendors Hostel at the Nadi Market.

The 15 workers from the reservations section at both Sheraton Fiji Resort and Westin Denarau Island Resort and Spa donated the gear on Friday.

Hostel caretaker Rusila Bakabaka said the donation which included bed sheets, mirrors, irons with boards and cleaning equipment would go a long way in making the vendors more comfortable at their hostel.

“The team was able to come together and for a change give a new look to the facilities and furnish them with items including mirrors, bed sheets, irons with ironing boards, cleaning equipment’s that would make their stay a little less worrying and a little more relaxing,” Ms Bakabaka said.

“The women would now sleep in their new bed with new bed sheets after a hard day in their stalls, this is indeed a kind gesture.

“Sometimes we tell the women here to just use their “sulu” to cover the mattress when sleeping because they come very far so that’s the only option we had.”

The Hotel workers’ group spokesperson Litea Malaude said this was part of their corporate community services and it was indeed a privilege to be part of the team.

“This is the fourth year we have been doing this for other projects, so this year we decided to visit the Nadi Market vendors,” Ms Malaude said.

“In line with this year’s theme for ‘International Women’s Day’, the Sheraton & Westin Reservations Team took on the challenge to ‘Find a need and fill it’ starting small to bring in a little change in the lives of those who we come in contact with every day.

“Great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us every day.

“With this in mind, the need was located at the Nadi Market Hostel where ladies are accommodated during the course of their stay in town to sell their produce to be able to provide for their family.

“Prior to the opening of the hostel, emotional and touching sights of women and children were common on the walk way along where the new facility is now located.

“This was once ‘home’ to these ladies, a place where they could rest at the end of each day.

“This hostel provides accommodation however to make their stay away from home a little bit more comfortable.

“The team was able to come together and for a change give a new look to the facilities and furnish them with items including mirrors, bed sheets, irons with ironing boards, cleaning equipment’s that would make their stay a little less worrying and a little more relaxing.”

Edited by Rusiate Mataika

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