Single dad sells veggies to provide for sons, parents
Six years ago, Shirendra Naidu lost his wife, leaving him to take care of his two sons and his elderly parents on his own. The 39-year-old former construction worker was employed at a local construction company for several years until he lost his job in April last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr Naidu, the youngest of five siblings, then had to search for an alternative to bring in income for his household to support his family.
He was introduced to fishing, but he intended to do something else as the income was not enough to cater for his family’s needs. As a result, he resorted to selling vegetables. He resides at Seniyaya Settlement in Lovu, Lautoka with his parents, 72-year-old father, Surendra Kumar, 68-year-old mother, Gamamma Naidu and sons, 10-year-old Kartik Naidu and seven-year-old Arav Naidu.
At the moment, he sells vegetables like beans, cassava, rourou, pumpkin and eggplant amongst others.
“I thought about buying produce from the farmers and selling it by the roadside near my home so I could get more income,” he said.
“This is the only source of income we receive and it helps us pay bills, buy groceries and helps me send my children to school.”
He said he would normally leave his residence at 7am every day and finish selling his produce at around 8pm. “I spent Christmas Day here selling,” he said.
“With this, I can get around $100 to $150 a day, it is more income earned than being a fisherman.”
He said hard work and the thought of his children and his parents was what pushed him on.
Mr Naidu also plans to spend celebrating the New Year selling his produce by the roadside.