School Drop Out, Labourer Now Businessman
Suresh Chand remembers the days he would walk three miles to school, with stationery in a recycled fertiliser plastic bag that served as his school bag.
Sunday 05 June 2022 | 11:57
Suresh Chand, with his wife, Sandhya Devi, in front of their shop in Volovi, Labasa, on June 3, 2022. Photo: Shratika Naidu
Suresh Chand remembers the days he would walk three miles to school, with stationery in a recycled fertiliser plastic bag that served as his school bag.
A drop out after his fifth year at Waiqele Primary School in Labasa, he never dreamt he would become a businessman.
The 49-year-old of Waiqele who once lived in a thatched house, is now the only empty beer bottle collector in Vanua Levu to partner with Paradise Beverages Fiji Limited.
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Mr Chand worked as a sugarcane labourer for over 20 years.
He then worked for five years as a truck driver for Inter-Island Freight Services, travelling to and from Vanua Levu, and Viti Levu.
How the idea to invest into business began
The father of five made up his mind one day – while working under the hot sun - to start his own company in Labasa.
“I believe that even a sugarcane labourer can stand up on his own two feet, to achieve big dreams in life,” Mr Chand said.
“Being the eldest of three siblings, and son to a sugarcane farmer, life has taught me to never give up on God.”
He thanked his wife, Sandhya Devi, 49, of Tabia, Labasa, for supporting his dream.
In 2019, he opened his business - Fugleman Bottle Collectors.
Fugleman is German for leader.
“I saw people drinking and throwing beer bottles anywhere they wanted, or piled up outside homes, which was an eyesore for me,” he said.
“It was creating pollution, making our environment dirty, and providing opportunities for mosquitoes to breed.”
With one truck, he drove all over Vanua Levu, collecting and washing beer bottles.
He is a source of income to those who sell emploty beer bottles to him, paying them 60 cents to $10, depending on the volume of collection.
Expanded Business
Mr Chand’s new found business has enabled him to send his children to school, and invest in a property in Suva.
He operates his bottle collection from Volovi, Labasa.
Last week, he opened Fugleman Diary Shop, Fugleman Fast Food Restaurant and Fugleman Hardware and Supplies.
Mr Chand plans to open a liquor shop at the same location.
He invested about $100,000 in his business, and employs 19 people.
“I wanted to change life for the better, for my family and myself, and today I feel proud to have come this far,” he said.
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