A LAUTOKA fisherman has turned to grass cutting to help his family survive during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Balram Ballu said he had no choice but to brave the elements and vigorously search for work in Saru with his brush cutter.
The 62-year-old said he had to resort to cutting grass for neighbours after the April 19 lockdown prevented him from venturing out to sea.
“There are people living in Fiji right now that don’t have any food and some who don’t know where their next meal is going to come from,” he said.
“If I don’t do this, I won’t be able to take care of my family.
“The money from my last job was used to buy some rice. Today, I’m looking for gas money.”
Mr Ballu said the COVID-19 crisis was hitting the poor people the hardest. “We were trying to survive with the little money we used to get from fishing.
“Now that we have COVID, we can’t fish and we are suffering even more. “I have payments to make on my boat and I also have bills.
“When I get money, I have to think – should I buy food or pay my bills? “If I pay my bills, I starve; if I buy my food, I will be living in the dark with no water.
“It’s a really bad situation and I hope that people like us get some help soon.”
