Business has been going well for one of Naitasiri’s renowned bakeries.
Gusuisavu bakery is situated along the Sawani-Serea highway and is a popular stopover for villagers and travellers looking to purchase delicious bread.
Cashier Seruwaia Rokotimo says their busiest times for operation was in the mornings and late afternoons when customers are on their way to work or returning home to their families.
“This is the best location for our bakery because we are situated right alongside the road,” Rokotimo said.
The mother of two said bread at Gusuisavu bakery was renowned for its soft and scrumptious taste which keeps customers coming back for more.
“Apart from bread, we also sell groceries and frozen food and we act as a last stopover for people living in villages and settlements in the remote areas in Serea.
All these places are far away from supermarkets. Rokotimo said the bakery also served as a mini store equipped with household essentials for the average shopper.
“Our aim is to expand business and hopefully establish a supermarket similar to the ones in the urban centres so that our people don’t have to pay more to travel far because everything is expensive these days,” she said.
Gusuisavu bakery was opened in 2015 and was the result of a collaboration between the Integrated Human Resources Development Program (IHRD) and the Commissioner Central’s Office and is operated by the Lovia Cooperative of Gusuisavu Village.
Four people manage the bakery’s day-to-day operations and Rokotimo says business is good, especially when it’s pay week for civil servants.
“There are a lot of functions happening each week from funerals, birthdays, visitations where we get a lot of orders for bread and groceries and this really boosts our business.”
The bakery has its own challenges, however, Rokotimo is hopeful that business will not be affected.
“We started off with two ovens but one of them has been damaged for a while and we are hoping to purchase another one to act as a backup in case our current oven breaks down and affects our business.”
Rokotimo is hopeful that Government or some NGO can come forward to assist their plight as the bakery has been a godsend in providing revenue for Gusuisavu Village.
“We are not disheartened when we face these sorts of problems because we have faith that God will provide for our needs, whenever we face obstacles.”
She said the bakery was an iconic beacon of hope for the village and it had the backing of the vanua to expand and succeed.
“The profits from this bakery go a long way in assisting our village project works that benefit everyone in the village.”
