Vilimaina Plants Mushrooms For Her School Needs
Mrs Racagilala was proud of her daughter that she took it upon herself to pay for her school needs because it lessened the burden for the family.
Paying for her own stationery at the age of 14 was a satisfying moment for Vilimaina Nokonokosere of Serea Village, Naitasiri.
While school children of her age look to their parents to pay for their stationery, Vilimaina made it her mission to pay for her own to ease the financial burden from her parents this year.
During the long school holiday, Vilimaina started growing mushrooms as a hobby. Little did she know that it would turn out successful enough to pay for her school needs including stationery.
Her 50-year-old mother Loraini Racagilala said Vilimaina started growing mushrooms in November.
“It did not take long to harvest the mushrooms and she sold them for $15 per kg. She told me not to worry about paying for her back-to-school items because she had already planned to save the money earned from selling mushrooms, to buy everything.
“Vilimaina wanted a new pair of Cebo sandals, a new pair of uniform and a new bag which she bought with her own money,” Mrs Racagilala said.
Mrs Racagilala was proud of her daughter that she took it upon herself to pay for her school needs because it lessened the burden for the family.
She said their back-to-school shopping started way back before Christmas to avoid last-minute rush.
“We did not think twice about the back-to-school shopping. As soon as she got the money, we went to do the shopping because it was of no use spending so much on groceries for Christmas lunch when we can use it for the back-to-school shopping,” she said.
Yesterday, the family travelled from Serea Village to Suva to buy her new school skirt, school bag and sandals.
Vilimaina is a Year Nine student at Naitasiri Secondary School along with her elder sister Tutaisi Lutuigaloa who is in Year 11.
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