Around the world, people have traded or bartered during the pandemic either to do their bit for the local community or to simply find means of earning money.
For Avy Kumar or Juddy, bartering has become an emerging alternative solution to getting by — and staying busy — amid COVID-19. Because of the pandemic and with the support of FNPF, he started his mobile hairdressing business in early April in Savusavu, Vanua Levu.
“With this business, I have travelled to Rakiraki, Sigatoka, Kadavu and Levuka,” he said.
“I’m enjoying this new move with my small business with local clients. These aren’t normal times and most people are struggling during this pandemic, hence the reason for introducing barter in my business. Customers could either barter for grog, mat and even groceries.”
He also travels to Labasa and Taveuni once a week to attend to some of his clients who have booked in advance.
“I’ve also had some clients from Koro Island contact me but it’s the transportation by fibre boat across to the island that’s a problem,” said Juddy.
“There is always competition, but I really think it’s how you treat your clients and the prices during this pandemic. Also, the support from the community of this town has been overwhelming because I have customers from all walks of life.”
Juddy hails from Momi Bay in Nadroga and owns a tour company, Salad Bowl Tours & Spa which is currently not operating due to COVID-19. “I used to employ seven people under my business — Salad Bowl Tours & Spa which was established in 2018 and I’m hoping things would normalise so it could operate again,” he said.
Juddy runs his hairdressing business under Paradise Beauty and Spa and Nunia’s Hair Salon. He operates seven days a week from 9am to 7pm. Juddy attended Shri Vivekananda High School in Malolo, Nadi from Year 9 – 12 and undertook a diploma in human resources at the University of the South Pacific (USP) from 2014 to 2016.
He completed his Certificate 3 in hospitality with an Australian Pacifi c Training College (APTC) scholarship by Australian Aid and also has a certificate in hairdressing.
