At Bayview Restaurant and Bar at Harbour Point, Lami, Venaisi Rasei moves across the floor with the brand of confidence of someone who has spent most of her life caring for others.
The 50-year-old from Lomaloma Village on Vanuabalavu, Lau, is the restaurant’s floor manager.
It is a role she carries with pride after decades in the service industry and a lifetime shaped by sacrifice and caring for others.
Ms Rasei did not finish high school.
She left Baulevu High School in Form 4 to help raise her sister’s children while growing up in the tough Raiwaqa neighbourhood.
“I have four sons but before I had them, I was a guardian, looking after my nephews and nieces,” she said.
“That gave me good experience on how to look after and manage a family.”
Her journey into work began at fish factories, where long hours tested her endurance and built the resilience she still carries today.
“I have been working in restaurants for the past 10 years because I love to smile and serve people,” she said.
“Interacting and getting to know people is what I love because I get to know them at a personal level and socialise.”
For the past two years, she has worked six days a week at Bayview, keeping only Sundays for family, children and grandchildren.
“Apart from Sunday, I am serving people every other day,” she said.
“My boss expects a lot from me and I make sure I work my hardest to make money so that the business flourishes.”
What keeps her going is not only duty, but passion. She treasures the friendships she builds with staff and customers and finds purpose in every shift.
“I work hard because I know my job will put food on the table and help my family,” she said.
“Some people are shy of serving or working in the service industry. For me, it comes naturally because to survive and find inspiration in a job like mine every single day you need to have passion in your job.”
She hopes to retire in five years to spend more time with her family.
Until then, she will continue serving where her heart feels most at home.
