Vaseva’s a vendor for life
VASEVA Raka is a familiar face at the Suva Municipal Market who could be seen selling vegetables, fruits and root crops three days a week from Thursdays to Saturdays.
Married with eight children and 12 grandchildren, she hails from Nairukuruku Village, Matailobau in Naitasiri.
Ms Raka lives in Nakorovatu Village, Vunidawa in Naitasiri and has been selling at the Suva Municipal Market for eight years.
She can be seen outside the markets with other vendors from Nakorovatu.
The journey from her home to the Capital City begins at 4am by carrier every Thursday.
Her produce includes vudi sold for $5 to $10 a heap depending on the size, banana for $5 a heap, pawpaw $2, $3 and $4 each, lemon $2 a heap, chillies $2 a heap, tomatoes $5 a heap, layalaya $2 a heap, $10 to $15 a bundle of dalo and
bhindi for $2 a heap.
Ms Raka says her produce are all from their farm planted by her husband and their children.
The 58-year-old said on a busy day she could serve 50 people or more while on a slack day she serves 10 to 20 people or fewer.
“In a day I could earn $100, $100 plus and even $200 if I have a lot of customers,” she said.
“For three selling days, I could earn $300 to $500 if I’m lucky.”
She said the money she earned from selling helped make ends meet and certain obligations.
“I love selling because this is our only source of income and my husband and I have reaped the benefits of operating a vending business.”
From vending, Ms Raka said they were able to renovate their home and even opened a canteen.
Apart from selling vegetables, root crops and fruits they also sell fish serves for $5.
Ms Raka says that she has never regretted her decision to be a market vendor as it is earning her dollars today.