Raijeli Vasau was devastated to learn of the fire at her workplace when she was called by her employer on Thurs­day night.

Working as a kitchen-hand at Yo-Yo’s Wine and Dine Restaurant in Nasinu Road, Valelevu, Ms Vasau now has to ponder on how she will help support her young family.

Yesterday, as she stared with sad­ness, at the destruction caused by the fire she could only see shat­tered Christmas wishes.

The 41-year-old mother of three had been looking forward to her pay this week because her chil­dren had given her their wish list. Her three children – Oripa Ikapote Year 10, Iliasa Benitobula Year 5 and Saiyasi Ratuwaqa Year 11 – live together in Nadera in a little lean-to house, and she is the sole breadwinner.

“It is near Christmas and I do not think that I would get a job again by Christmas. I have not saved any money for Christmas because I was looking forward to getting paid this week. And school is starting. I don’t know what to do,” she said.

“I have been working for Yo-Yo’s since last year as a kitchen-hand and was paid $130 a week.”

Her employers have not clarified with her if she would be paid for the work she had done this week. They would not comment on the matter.

Ms Vasau has a plea this Christ­mas. She is hoping that she finds employment at the first opportu­nity she gets so she can support her children.

For her, everything she does, is for her children.

The Authority are still investi­gating the fire and determine the cause.

Edited by Naisa Koroi

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