Taveuni Man Makes Life-Altering Change At Suva Market
“I was lucky that there was a stall available at Suva Market and later the Government announced the stall fee waiver for vendors, so that give me the hope to continue,” he said.
Wednesday 29 September 2021 | 11:39
Savenca Vulaca, 49, at his Suva market stall on 28, September 2021. Photo: Ronald Kumar
Having grown up in areas near the Tagimaucia Lake, Tavoro Falls and the Lavena coastal line in Taveuni, 49-year-old Savenaca Vulaca never dreamed that selling items at Suva market would be something he would need to do to survive.
But after the Wairiki Villager traveled to Suva in early April this year to be part of a family function at his parents’ residence, he found he could not return home due to the restrictions brought on by the COVID-19 crisis.
Not willing to sit idle all these months, Mr Vulaca acquired a market stall at the Suva Municipal Market.
Related stories
“I was lucky that there was a stall available at Suva Market and later the Government announced the stall fee waiver for vendors, so that give me the hope to continue,” he said.
He thanked the Government for assisting the needy during these challenging times by providing the market stall fee waiver and unemployment cash assistance.
“At first I thought of doing this until I get fully vaccinated and would be able to return to Tavueni, but now I see potential of earning more by selling in market,” Mr Vulaca said.
He is now planning to earn enough to send his parents back to Taveuni to manage their family farm while he is able to bring in their produce from the Garden Island to sell at Suva market.
He added, that the lifting of the Viti Levu containment borders helped and he is hoping that customer numbers would increase as more people get fully vaccinated. Edited by Jonathan Bryce
Feedback: ronaldk@fijisun.com.fj
