Graduate Thrives As Market Vendor
“Everyone strives for a better living standard. Nowadays life in the village means you have to hustle,” Ms Siliva said.
Friday 28 July 2023 | 13:07
FNU graduate Lili Siliva (right) at the Suva Municipal Market. Photo: Aralai Vosayaco
Fiji National University graduate and market vendor says they are still able to sell fresh food items despite the impact of a rise in the cost of living.
Ms Siliva graduated with a Bachelor of Education major in English and Fijian.
No matter what the price of items, customers will still buy and this motivates Siliva, who travels from Sawanikula, Naitasiri Province, to sell her produce at the Suva Municipal Market.
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She said it was all about survival and making good money for your produce even though we face many obstacles from the farm, village and to the capital city
“Everyone strives for a better living standard. Nowadays life in the village means you have to hustle,” Ms Siliva said.
“If you don’t have anything to sell, you won’t be able to put food on the table.
“I’ve only been here for a few hours, but I already managed to make $300 already.
“That’s what makes this experience so rewarding.”
Come rain or shine the women are keen to earn for their family.
“This weather doesn’t really matter. Coming here to sell is much better than being idle at home,” she said.
“We don’t take any leftover produce home. Everything gets sold.”
Other market vendors said the price of certain produce like taro had increased, but so has the price of goods on supermarket shelves.
"The price of flour has gone up," said another vendor from Naqali, Naitasiri.
“Why shouldn’t ours?
“I brought two bundles of dalo this morning, each going for $40, both sold. People won’t complain. They’ll buy.”
Feedback: aralai.vosayaco@fijisun.com.fj
