Page 22 - IB AUG 2017

Markets
New

lease of

life for

vendors

By Sylvia Hesaie

BEFORE the break of dawn, Anare Vola-
navanua and his wife jump right into their
daily routine of preparing their produce
for selling at the Nadi Market. As days go
by, age catches up with the perservering
couple. Anare Volanavanua at his stall at the Nadi Market. Photo: Supplied
Fatigue and backache are some of the
difficulties they face at the age of 70. Lena’s labour of love
Volonavanua hails from the Garden Is-
land of Taveuni and lives with his wife in in a woman’s market
Nawaka Village, Nadi. He has been happily
married with seven children for over thirty
five years. Before Tropical Cyclone Win- LOCAL markets are the best places to see
ston could wipe out his farm and house the wonders of Pacific fruit and vegetables.
at his island home, Volanavanua and his In recent times television cooking shows
wife were dependent on their children who – especially Masterchef New Zealand
lived with them and the produce they sell – have highlighted the vibrant colours
at Nawaka. Lena Tui. Photo: Supplied and exquisite tastes of tropical foods and
After Cyclone Winston his children mar- stopped by to buy lemons. included these on the show.
ried and now live away from them. The lemons were priced for $2 d but In Western Fiji the Nadi market is one
Volanavanua knows that he can no was sold to the woman for $1. Asked of those treasure troves of exotic products
longer depend on his children and the why it was sold cheaper, Volanavanua with fresh fruit, vegetables,root crops and
produce sold in the village as a source of smiled and said, “I don’t always sell at a colourful fish.
income for him and his wife. cheaper price.” The facility is packed with diligent
“My children are now all married with “Myself, what I bring from my farm, at vendors, bargain seeking locals and the
their own children. Even though they are whatever price if they don’t have enough tourists looking for picture opportunities.
willing to help us, I know they have their money, I give it to them at a lower price In the midst of the hustle and bustle an
own families to take care of so I do not because I know that people have some orange-coloured, palm-shaped-sticker on
take any money from them.” struggles.” a pillar makes a bold statemenbt: “Stop
The couple works hard to also provide Despite his expenses of paying for the violence against women and girls.”
for their children’s families if they are market space, bus fare to and from the This is a market run by women, a facility
short of food. Root crops are sent to their village and a few bills, Volanavanua and which supports their empowerment.
children in Ba and Labasa when they can his wife usually spend their money feeding Lena Tui, who used to work in the
and of course free of charge. people in their home at Nawaka Village or hospitality industry, sells root crops and
Volanavanua was spotted selling his visiting their children. vegetables on the edge of the market with
produce at a corner table all by himself. Volanavanua and his wife have slowly her family. She is secretary of the Nadi
Asked about his wife, he said that she was been getting back on their feet with the Market Vendors Association.
at home cleaning so he was happy to be help of the Markets for Change project. Lena remembers the first time when
there for her instead. The sale of new crops have brought in a Market 4 Change (M4C) project arrived.
Volanavanua and his wife take turns healthier income compared to before and “When we heard the project will be con-
coming to the market although he wishes for that, Volanavanua is grateful. ducted by UN Women in 2015, we were
they could come together so that they “I thank the UN for supplying us with very happy,” she said.
could keep each other company. tools to help plant new crops to sell.” “The training helped the vendors oper-
While being interviewed, a woman ate more efficiently.”

22 Islands Business, August 2017