FOR many women, the roadside is more than just a place to sell.
It represents an opportunity to earn an income, support the family and build the courage to face life’s challenges.
This is true for Sunita Devi, a backyard gardener and housewife who has called Tova Settlement in Ra home for the past 30 years, since getting married.
Today, she sells vegetables at the Waimicia roadside market, a few kilometres outside Rakiraki Town, making use of the vegetables she grows in her backyard.
Her journey into roadside selling began three years ago when her husband left his job as a bus driver.
With the family needing support, Sunita knew she had to step in and find a way to contribute to their livelihood.
“I had to sell from the roadside when my husband left his job. I make use of the vegetables I plant in my backyard,” she said.
“When I don’t have enough vegetables, I make roti and curry and sell them.”
Starting out was not easy.
Sunita admitted that she initially felt shy and worried about what people might think of her.
“Initially, I felt shy, thinking people would look down on me, but after some time, I developed the courage to tough it out,” she said.
Over time, she learned to overcome her fears and focus on what mattered most — earning an honest living and helping her family.
Her determination is rooted in the lessons she learned during her childhood.
Growing up, Sunita often joined her two brothers and three sisters in helping their parents, who were humble sugarcane farmers.
Although the family had little to enjoy and share at home, her parents taught their children the importance of commitment, hard work and perseverance.
Those values have stayed with her throughout her life and continue to guide her as she tends to her backyard garden and sells her produce by the roadside.
For Sunita, the roadside market is not simply a place to sell vegetables.
It is a symbol of courage and the willingness to work hard despite the challenges life brings.
Her story is a reminder that, sometimes, the simplest opportunities can become a lifeline for families, while the determination to keep going can make all the difference.
