EVERY morning, before the sun rises over Matamaivere Village in Namara, Tailevu, 22-year-old Ruci Sevodi begins her journey.
With an unwavering faith, she makes a two-hour trip to the Suva Municipal Market.
At an age when many of her peers are still chasing their dreams, Ruci is already living out one — not of luxury or fame, but of purpose driven by personal struggles.
“I leave home at 5am every day and reach Suva by 7am,” she says.
“I cook dalo, breadfruit, rourou balls, and sometimes fish and palusami — that’s what I bring to sell at the market.”
Hustling is not always easy. There are days when sales are slow, and the long hours can be tiring.
Yet, Ruci remains optimistic.
“It can get difficult when the things I bring are not bought,” she admits, “but I thank God’s provision and for helping us as we try to earn money to support our families.”
Like some rural villages, life in Matamaivere comes with its share of challenges — from the lack of water supply to the decline in farming activity in the village.
“People don’t plant as much as they used to,” she explains.
“Sometimes, they even buy from us. But we’re still grateful that we can sell what we have and earn enough to buy what we need from town.”
Ruci’s decision to sell at the market came after her plans for higher education were put on hold. She had high hopes of working in a classroom but destiny came between her dreams.
“I was supposed to go to university to study to be a teacher,” she recalls.
“But after completing Year 13, my parents couldn’t afford the fees. I told my dad I would stay home and help instead.”
Today, Ruci’s spirit of sacrifice and perseverance remain unbroken.
She may have lost the opportunity to get a well-paid job but she has gained the respect of her family and the love of her community.
From her table at the market, she sounds a message for young people:
“Pursue your education as much as you can and do your best,” she says.
“But if things don’t go as planned, don’t be ashamed of honest work. Some of us might feel embarrassed to sell in the market, but there’s so much we can do to help our families — even small things like selling produce from home.”
For Ruci, as well as others in her shoes, every day is a step toward something greater.
Her journey reminds us that dreams don’t always come in the form of degrees or job titles — sometimes, they are carried in baskets of dalo and breadfruit, guided by faith, hard work, and the courage to keep going.
