Devi wins best decorated stall
Karuna Devi of Siberia, Labasa, won first prize in the Best Decorated Stall category during the Labasa Market Christmas celebrations.
The 53-year-old, originally from Seaqaqa, has been a vendor for 25 years.
“When the Labasa Market Vendors Association announced the Christmas celebration gathering I collected all the decorations and even prepared my outfit because I wanted to be part of this festive season,” Ms Devi said.
“It is through this business I managed to educate my three children and today they work as a teacher, fitter machinist and electrician.”
The grandmother of three grandchildren said Christmas was a time for giving and sharing, regardless of the ethnic background you have.
Another market vendor was Sanju Lata of Vunivau, Labasa, who also decorated her stall well.
“Although I am not a Christian I always decorate my home during Christmas so that I create a joyful environment for my children to create,” Mrs Lata said.
“For the first time, I decorated my stall because I want to share the message of love and unity with other vendors.”
The mother of three children, who has been selling vegetables for 10 years, said she has been praying to God to bring back stability in Fiji.
Labasa Market Vendors Association vice president Waisea Makulau said they always made sure to celebrate the festive season annually.
“There are more than 900 vendors in Labasa market and about 271 are registered members of the association,” Mr Makulau said.
“After the market closed we had an awards night to acknowledge the vendors’ contribution.”