VotCity Flea Market Injects Hope
It has allowed families to stay on their feet amid the COVID-19 pandemic crisis.
The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are widespread, but that has not stopped many Fijians in spite of the hardships they faced.
Paulini Vueti and Kyle Kumar have found a new way to help support themselves and their families during these trying times. Ms Vueti, a wife of a missionary, sells food at the VotCity Flea Market to support her Year 13 niece, Talei Laveti.
The 47-year-old is operating a stall called ‘Heavenly Mana’, with other church family members at the flea market in Votualevu, Nadi.
Ms Vueti sells a variety of pies and cakes. The income she generates enables her to support her family and her niece’s education. “The income received these few days will help support her school next week. Despite the situation we are facing right now, we always have to make a positive confession,” she said.
Originally from Lakeba in Lau, the mother of two children and her husband, who is currently on a mission in Kiribati, are both missionaries of the United Pentecostal International of Fiji.
Meanwhile, Mr Kumar, a former hotel worker, who was laid off because of the COVID-19 pandemic, said the flea market had proved beneficial for him and his family, as well as other hotel workers who were laid off or terminated.
“After seeing the flea market page on social media we felt motivated and we wanted to do something to support our family as well as help other church members who have been affected by the pandemic,” he said.
Mr Kumar, who was a chef at the Pullman Nadi Bay Resort and Spa Fiji, sells tandoori chicken dishes and a variety of pies and cupcakes as well.