Vendor thanks Govt for help
Salome Lewalago has been a market vendor for 10 years and she doesn’t have any plans to quit after she received $1000 grant from government.
It is the only source of income for her family.
The 59-year-old woman from Nalawa in Ra has been selling vegetables and root crops at Lautoka Market daily except on Sundays.
She stepped in to fend for her family’s financial needs after her husband retired. Ms Lewalago said her business started with only two tables where she would set her farm produce ready for another day’s sale.
With the $1000 assistance under the Small and Micro Business Grant from Government in 2015, she managed to purchase another two tables and more farm produce from the middle men.
“I want to thank Government for their assistance, when I started I didn’t have enough money to extend my stall and for 10 years I had been a market vendor and this is the first time for me to receive help from the Government,” Ms Lewalago said. In a good week, she would earn more than $100 profit after sales which is sufficient for her to cater for the family expenses. “I have only one child and he has graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and is still looking for a job,” Ms Lewalago said.
“Some people will look down on market vendors, but it is honest work and we have money every day.
"I want to advise people not be ashamed of the work they do.
"Because if it’s a source of income then keep striving with what you are doing.”