YOUR VOTE COUNTS Market vendor ‘The next government should listen’ keeps hope alive
MARKET vendor Sarun Lata hopes the next government will provide an environment that will allow her to take care of her two children.
A widow, she said her teenage daughter had to leave school early this year in order to help her take care of their family.
“Selling at the Lautoka market is my only source of income,” she said.
“Because it was very hard for me to look after my family and run the business. My daughter wanted to leave school early to help me.
“She works part time in Ba while I sell at the Lautoka market.”
She said their family expenses have been accumulating and sales at the market have dropped.
“The bus fare increase has affected us a lot.
“Every week, my bus fare is about $30. I come with my son who also attends school in Lautoka.
“I prefer to sell at the Lautoka market because at least I can make some money here.
“If I sell at the Ba market, I don’t think I would be able to look after my kids.
“I lost my husband a few years ago and since then it’s been very hard running the business and looking after my children at the same time.
“That’s why I needed help from my daughter.
“I want the next government to look at widows who are struggling to look after their young children after they’ve lost their breadwinners.
“We want leaders that will look after the poor people.”
EIGHTY-YEAR-OLD Josateki Naiqumu of Drasa, Lautoka, does not want a government that is selfish.
The grandfather of four says a government with the people’s interest at heart will take care of its people.
“I want to make sure that my grandchildren can grow up and have a good education and good jobs,” he said.
“I don’t want them to live the life that we are living right now.
“We struggle to put food on the table.
“Things are very different now from when I was younger.
“The next government should listen to the people and see the ones that are suffering.”
He said there should be more help for the elderly caring for younger children.
“There are elderly people out there like me who are still taking care of their grandchildren.
“Even with the Social Welfare assistance, I can’t look after them properly.
“The next government should make sure that assistance for the elderly is increased and our children get enough support at school.”