THE pride in Satish Chand’s voice is unmistakable, but it is the tears that tell the real story.
As the 72-year-old from Nabilo settlement, in Tailevu, talks about his five children he pauses — overcome with emotion.
Decades of hard work and careful planning have given way to a quiet satisfaction as he watches the family he and his wife built thrive, with children now working across Fiji, Australia and Papua New Guinea.
“I’m proud of my children,” he said.
Mr Chand is a livestock farmer who sells vegetables at the Korovou Town market.
Mr Chand said nothing could compare to the struggles they endured and successfully overcame together.
For him, the market is part of a daily schedule but behind his familiar smile is a lifetime of sacrifice that has helped shape the future of the family he treasures most.
“I come to the market at six o’clock in the morning and I leave at five in the afternoon.
“Because I have livestock, I always get up as early as 3:30am. I always feed my cattle, ducks, goats, chickens, dogs and even the cats, and after that I come to the market.”
His working day does not end when he returns home.
“When I return, I make sure to check up on them again before I rest.”
The discipline has become second nature after years of caring for the animals.
Nothing on the farm goes to waste. Unsold vegetables from the market become feed for his animals, allowing him to make use of everything he has.
Before becoming a market vendor Mr Chand worked as a carpenter and later worked at the Veisama Rice Mill in Nausori, but realised he needed a better plan.
“After I left my job at the rice mill, I came to the market to sell.
The decision has allowed him to remain active while enjoying the company of fellow vendors.
“Here, I meet people. It’s basically a hobby for me and we help each other.”
Although he enjoys the work, it is family that gives his life its deepest meaning.
When talking about his five children, his voice softens and emotion fills the conversation.
He and his wife started their family after moving away from his parents’ home, determined to build a life of their own.
Today, that family’s achievements are his greatest reward.
“We have five children. I have two daughters in Australia, one son is an accountant in PNG, my fourth daughter is a schoolteacher and my last one works in Korovou.”
As he speaks about them, pride quickly gives way to emotion.
The success they have found is something he never takes for granted.
His joy has only grown with the arrival of grandchildren.
“I’m happy with my grandchildren and I like it when they visit and when they call daily.”
Despite having children living overseas, Mr Chand has never been tempted to leave the place he has always called home.
“My children have always asked if I could one day see myself living abroad. I told them I preferred the life here.”
His roots in Tailevu runs deep.
“I was born and raised here.
“My parents used to live in Kuku in Nausori and also at Rabulu, but they moved here to farm.
“When they got here, they bought freehold land and that was where our lives started.
Those strong family values continue to guide him every day, especially in the way he cares for his wife, who has battled an illness for many years.
Even while spending long hours at the market, she is never far from his thoughts.
“I call her to check if she has taken her medication and had her lunch, so it’s the little things that really matter to me.”
He is equally grateful for the medical care she has received over the years.
“My family is good now. We thank our doctor for always helping me with my wife’s medical care.”
At an age when many people have slowed down, Mr Chand continues to help sustain his family.
