RAISED in Qila, Taveuni, 56-year-old Giri Kumari Lal’s journey is one shaped by resilience and sacrifice.
Married at a young age, she moved to Levuka to live with her in-laws, where she began adjusting to a new chapter of life.
There, she learned to support her husband through farming and together they started building their family.
As their family grew, so did their dreams for their children.
“We realised we wanted a good education for our children with many opportunities. So, we made a decision to move to Suva,” she said.
The young family’s move to the capital was not easy.
They briefly stayed with Giri’s brother at Duilomaloma, Sawani — a gesture she remembers with deep gratitude.
“I have always been supported by my brother,” she said. ”
He helped us get on our feet when we arrived in Suva.
With determination and careful saving, Giri and her husband eventually purchased a small piece of land in Wailase where they began building their home and future.
“We bought a two-and-a-half-acre land and later bought 10 acres,” she said.
“When we bought the two-and-a-half acres, it wasn’t cleared, so we had to cut a few trees to clear the land for farming.
In those early days, survival meant using whatever resources they had.
“We didn’t have anything to live off then, so we relied on the wood we had cut to sell as firewood,” she said.
“We would sell the firewood by the roadside to earn a few dollars.”
Taking firewood to the market instead of vegetables often drew unwanted attention and judgment from others, but the couple remained focused on their goals.
“When we took the firewood to sell at the market, people would smirk and say that others have brought vegetables, yet this family has brought firewood to sell at the market,” she said.
“Firewood helped us earn a living and helped us grow our farm in Wailase.”
As the land slowly cleared, the couple began planting vegetables and root crops, gradually turning their once-bare land into a productive farm.
“My late husband was hardworking and always made sure we were well provided for,” she said.
Through years of hard work at Wailase, the couple raised and educated their four children while steadily growing their farm.
They would transport their produce to the market, selling to vendors before returning home to continue working the land.
“Since my husband passed on, and now that my children are working, I’ve become a vendor myself,” she said.
“I now buy from farmers and sell produce at my small stall.
For Giri, vending is not just about income but also purpose and staying active.
“I didn’t want to stay home and be idle,” she said.
“I wanted to do something that I enjoy. I don’t need to do it but I want to because it allows me to stay active.”
When her husband passed away, she drew strength for the sake of her children.
Today, all four of her children are employed and have built their own lives — a testament to the foundation their parents worked so hard to create.
Despite the hardships and sacrifices, Giri reflects on her journey with pride, knowing that the struggles of selling firewood and clearing land helped shape a better future for her family.
