FOR three decades, Sabra Begum has been a vegetable vendor at the Lautoka Municipal Market.
At 65, she shows no signs of slowing down and continues a job she was introduced to by her in-laws.
Like her first day on the job, she treats all her customers with an infectious smile. She believes that toiling for a living doesn’t have to mean one cannot feel happy.
Sabra lives in Wairabetia, a few kilometres outside Lautoka City, and helps support her husband and youngest son. Her four daughters have families of their own.
“This stall belonged to my in-laws,” she said.
“They have passed away. I continue to sell by myself since my husband has health problems.”
Sabra buys vegetables from a Sigatoka middleman and resells them at the market.
To manage expenses and reduce wastage, she buys only enough produce to keep her family adequately fed and sustained.
“We used to buy bags of vegetables. But times are hard now therefore we may buy a bag of carrots or cucumbers when we can afford them.”
“Before we would make around $140 to $150 a week. With what we earned we were able to put our children through school.”
To supplement her earnings, Sabra has a small backyard garden, which comes in handy when there is a short supply of vegetables in the market.
“We have a garden at home where we plant vegetables. When we run short of vegetables, we usually harvest and sell vegetables from our garden.”
As Sabra approaches her 70s, her children keep reminding her to retire from market vending. But she is not giving up yet.
“I do this mainly to pass time. With whatever little we make, we are able to buy the things we need.”
Since it is the month of Ramadan, Sabra has been waking up earlier than normal.
She does most of her household chores and has breakfast before the sun rises.
“I wake up at around 3am to cook for my husband since we are going through the month of Ramadan.”
As age catches up, being physically active helps Sabra stay fit and healthy.
“Whether I sell in the Lautoka market or tend to my vegetable garden, I stay active to help maintain a clean bill of health.
“I am 65 years old, but I like to keep moving, it’s good to keep active and healthy.”
