Man fixes electrical appliances in exchange for offers in kind
Putting a smile on people’s faces is all Sakiusa Masi hopes to do amid the difficult times Fijians are going through.
Saki, as he is commonly known on the Barter for Better Fiji Facebook page is bartering his mechanical engineering skills with whatever his clients can offer.
Be it groceries to help him and his family get by, a cake, or baby clothes for his second child that’s on the way, he will take the job. The lad from Votua, Baravi in Nadroga, said though he has his own share of personal struggles, making his family and his clients happy in these trying times was a priority for him.
The Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Class 2 Trade graduate from Fiji National University has so far repaired close to 20 electrical appliances. These are from 15 clients ever since he posted his barter system on the Facebook page a week ago.
“People tell me that my clients are offering me very less goods in exchange for my services but I tell them even if a family gives me a pot of Rourou to eat, I would be grateful,” Mr Masi said. “Ever since I started bartering for my services I have received bottles of alcohol, groceries, cakes and baby clothes for my second child that is on the way,” he said.
“I don’t really expect anything in return for my services, but whatever a family gives me I receive it as a blessing.”
Mr Masi specialises in general mechanical and electrical repairs.
“I have a full time job as an Electrical Engineer and we have been working on reduced pay and hours, but when I finish off work whatever requests I get from members of the page, I take it up if they are within my reach.
“I am happy, my family is happy and my clients are happy, that is how I want people to feel during this pandemic.
“A lady whom I repaired her washing machine cried and told me that she was charged $200 by a previous mechanic that did not do a good job.
“I don’t do those dirty games, Fijians need us to help each other out during these difficult times.”
He said it was important that we look after each other’s needs at a time where everyone is struggling to survive.
Edited by Ranoba
Baoa