Kata keeps his family busy in their backyard nursery

An Air Terminal Services worker is keeping himself busy building a plant nursery before he resumes work next week at reduced hours.

Foame Kata, is a Training and Standards Officer who is usually seen at his garden in Vuda, Lautoka, with his children. Together they are building their nursery from scratch. As the sole breadwinner in an extended family of 12, he has been diverting his energy to the nursery’s set-up.

His family includes his parents, two siblings and two cousins who both attend Fiji National University. They kicked off the project during the period when Lautoka was a lockdown confined area.

“This global pandemic had impacted my family in many different aspects; my kids being away from school for too long,” Mr Kata said.

“I am fortunate I still have leave hours for the past four weeks. From next week my hours will be reduced, but am I happy I had started a small nursery of veggies to support my family.

“Veggies are expensive in markets and to keep myself busy, get my family involved is a great boost. My kids get to learn how to plant and not just unnecessarily roam around.”

Mr Kata said loved gardening and that he bought seeds for planting tomatoes, eggplant, long beans, chillies, and cabbage.

“It’s in my genes. My dad taught me well at a young age. The challenge I faced is finding time because I spend long hours at work. But this current crisis has given me a great opportunity and lots of time to spend in planting.

“It’s a small nursery to start off with before we can make it much bigger if the situation extends.

“We also look out for our neighbours.

“We share small necessities because they cannot buy sugar, salt, flour, rice, onions, ginger, etc, so I don’t only support my own household,” Mr Kata said.

“We believe the small amount we have, we share. And we will get through this pandemic together. These veggies we planted are not only for my family.”