Seini Likusakiki travelled from the highlands of Naitasiri with her children to do their back to school shopping in Suva last week.
The mother of three said she only had a few stationery items left to purchase as she done most of her shopping well before the festive season last year.
“When the FijiFirst government rolled out the $180 cash assistance, I bought a few school items then and a few more before we got busy with the Christmas and New Year festivities, ” Ms Likusakiki said.
The single mother said the $200 per student back to school assistance by the Government would go a long way to assist her financially as her only source of income was whatever she earned as a vendor at the Suva market during the weekends.
“As a single mother, I am very grateful for this assistance, I can do a proper shopping for my children’s meals.”
Ms Likusakiki said she had noted an increase in stationery prices compared to when she shopped last year.
However, she said the cash assistance and her decision to begin back to school shopping early, helped her avoid the increased costs.
Ms Likusakiki’s children will be in years, 4, 8 and 9 this school year.
