One day at a time
Life is tough, but Tavou still enjoys life
VILISITE Taina Tavou washes, weeds and cleans houses around her neighbourhood to buy stationery for her son.
The 34-year-old motherof-one has to do this kind of work because she did not work during the lockdown.
“I have to help my husband provide for our family because I can’t just watch him sweat all day,” Tavou said.
The Vabea, Kadavu woman said her husband doesn’t work now while she used to work before the pandemic.
“I was a cashier and a waitress at Happy Garden in Suva for two years before COVID-19 restrictions were imposed, and that is when I had to stay home,” she said.
“During the lockdown my husband went out fishing and worked on our small farm at Veisari in Lami.”
Tavou said her neighbour was very helpful and lets her do some work so she can earn some cash for food.
When the borders reopened, Tavou went looking for work in Suva and landed a job at a restaurant near the Suva Municipal Market.
“I’m happy that I was given an opportunity to work in a restaurant and I count it as a blessing because work is just so hard to find these days.”
The former Cathedral Secondary School student said nowadays people got jobs through someone they knew rather than what they know.
“My work in this restaurant is to help the cook in the kitchen, and I also learn something new every day from what I experience when we’re cooking.”
Tavou said her husband supported her by dropping off and picking their son from kindergarten.
Tavou said as bus fares and the price of basic food items go up, she was saving some money to start her own food business.
“My advice to working people is to work hard and keep your jobs safe, while those who do not work do what you can.”