ISIRELI TURNS TO FARMING
LIFE has not always been a bed of roses for Isireli Vuibau. He said his past experiences have helped shape him into the person he is today.
Mr Vuibau was one of the hundreds of Fiji Airways cabin crew who were let go last year at the start of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Instead of wallowing in the disappointment of losing a job he loved, he found his footing by engaging in small scale subsistence and commercial farming in Nadi. Even though he was supported by his mother who resides in the United States, Mr Vuibau pushed himself to find employment, so he could help out with financial obligations at home.
Mr Vuibau said taking up farming and toiling the land daily in Yavusania was far more satisfying than he ever imagined it would be.
The Maumi, Bau, lad said when his parents separated in 1998, his mother moved to the US for work in the hope of giving them a better life.
With financial support from her and the nurturing love of his grandparents in Yavusania during the separation, Mr Vuibau and his siblings overcame barriers together and overcame the many hurdles and obstacles that came their way.
He said he would be forever indebted to his late grandparents, who raised them well during their childhood years.
Mr Vuibau said life lessons taught by his grandparents brought the family back to where it was today.
“They taught us the value of working hard, being independent, being kind, always looking out for one another and being humble,” he said.
“In 2010, my siblings and I moved to Suva. Even though life still had its challenges, we managed to smile through it because we had each other.”
In 2017, Mr Vuibau was fortunate to have been part of a mass recruitment drive done by Fiji Airways.
He, alongside 2000 other hopefuls, were given the nod by the national carrier, and he said he was so privileged to have been one of the lucky few to be selected.
“Being selected was exciting and I cried when I got the call.
“The Fiji Airways cabin crew training is of international standard and very strenuous.
“It’s one not to be taken lightly as we deal with human lives in an enclosed space flying 40,000 feet above the ground.
“The process opened our eyes to the reality and responsibility that comes with the job.
“We were taught everything from issues as small as a nose bleed to as big as a crash landing.
“We were required to pass most, if not all the exams with nothing less than 100 per cent.
“Being a steward was just a rewarding experience.”.
He said the training he undertook as a steward could be applied to any life situation, not only in his “office” in the sky.
“It teaches you to be a fast thinker, a great ambassador, a friendly caretaker, and a medical responder at home and anywhere.”
Mr Vuibau said one of the biggest perks of the job was being able to visit countries like Australia, New Zealand, Samoa, Kiribati, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Tonga.
He said at the height of the tourism industry, when the pandemic unexpectedly hit, it pulled the rug out from under their feet.
“It was hard to walk away from something I had grown to love, but I tried to not let it dampen my spirit.”
Despite losing his job, he said some of his best memories were experienced as a steward.
“One of the best memories I have was flying with the national side to the Rugby World Cup in 2019.
“Then there was also the tour of the Santa Monica Pier in California, walking the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles, cruising through Sydney Harbour in Australia, and riding the cable cars to see the Great Buddha and sightseeing in Singapore.”
After being laid off, Mr Vuibau quickly ventured into farming.
Utilising the land that belonged to his late grandfather in Yavusania, Nadi, he like many who had lost their jobs last year, started again from scratch.
“I just tried to build something that could sustain me and my family during this time.
His grandfather’s land had been dormant for more than 10 years after his death, and Mr Vuibau took to the new role.
He began by planting sweet potatoes and cassava last year, which was harvested this year.
Spurred by his success, Mr Vuibau said he has plans to diversify into other crops such as corn, cucumbers, beans, eggplants and yams.
And like a growing number of Fijians, he took to social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Tikotok to market his produce.
“Farming makes me happy because not only is it therapeutic on a personal level, but I also get to enjoy the Fijian social concept of solesolevaki, which makes us iTaukei some of the luckiest people on earth.
“The concept allows teamwork and strengthens bonds between families in a village setting and makes farming a breeze.” Mr Vuibau said he was pleasantly surprised with his farm earnings so far.
“In a single day I can earn $300 from bulk orders for cassava aside from the small sales I make on the side.” Mr Vuibau said he had a message for all those who were doing it tough during the pandemic.
“Life is meant to be enjoyed, even in the difficult times.
“No matter what life throws your way, no matter how unfair it may seem, refuse to play the victim.
“Refuse to be ruled by fear and negativity. Refuse to quit. Be a warrior and work hard through whatever life throws your way with courage, love and positivity.
“You are stronger than you think and you are capable of achieving far more than you believe.
“Like my mum always used to say, ‘do not sit around complaining about life. When one door closes, another will open if it doesn’t open, smash it open’.”