Man camps at worksite to keep earning
IN ORDER to continue earning, Viliame Biu Toga decided to stay away from his home and close family friends in Navatuvula Village in Naitasiri.
Mr Toga has been away from his home for more than five weeks now as he cannot cross the Sawani border.
“I couldn’t get a daily pass to go to my house in the village and come to work as they were only giving one way passes so I decided to stay this side and save my job,” he said.
“I am stuck at my workplace so I just camp there with some of the other workers as that’s the only option I have.”
The 58-year-old employee of Smart Efficient Security Services said he delivered groceries and other items for the villagers whenever there was a need.
“There was death in my family and the burial happened last Saturday so they asked for processed food such as chicken and other things for the fortnight event so I did the shopping and gave it to my friend at the border.
“I feel it’s convenient for me to stay this side as I can provide my relatives with whatever they need, such as the money sent by their relatives in overseas countries or other groceries.”
He said staying away from home was tough for him.
“In the village, the villagers are affected by the pandemic but they have food such as root crops and other vegetables on their farms.
“For me this side, I just depend on bread and other foods which are easy to make and all the workers get food so we share and eat.
“If I was allowed to go and come from the village, life would have been easy as I would not be required to depend on bread, rice, noodles and other foods daily but instead have root crops and other fresh vegetables from the farm.”