When you have four children and a wife to feed and take care of, you grab any and every opportunity to make ends meet.
Samuela Tuira was forced to make some tough choices when he lost his job of eight years at the Water Authority of Fiji last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
After exhausting all avenues, he took to pushing a wheelbarrow at the Suva Municipal Market in a bid to earn a few dollars and put food on the table.
“This is going into my second year of taking people’s groceries, vegetables and root crops to their vehicles or to the taxi stand,” the 31-year-old said.
“When you’ve got four kids to feed and their basic needs to be met, you have to humble yourself and do what needs to be done.
“There is nothing to be ashamed about. At least I am making an honest living.”
The Kaba, Bau, native said he was the youngest of eight brothers and his siblings had their own challenges and obligations to fulfil.
“My children and my wife are my responsibility, so I can’t be a burden on anyone.”
Tuira said losing his job at WAF was one of the most painful and difficult things he has gone through.
“COVID-19 really changed my life and the lives of many other Fijians who lost their jobs — it’s not only about losing the pay packet, it’s also losing the sense of security and going home to tell you wife and children that you are not employed anymore is the hardest thing I ever had to do.
“It felt like something was taken from my life and there was nothing I could do about it, something was snatched away from me and I had no control over it.
“The moment I was told to go home because of the pandemic, all I could see were the faces of my children and my wife.
“I was the sole breadwinner and I knew life would be a daily struggle.”
Tuira said he spoke to an uncle about his issues and was advised to try being a “wheelbarrow boy” because he could earn “good money”.
“I decided to give it a go. I don’t pay rent because we live in our own house in Davuilevu and we also have a farm there.
“I grow dalo, cabbage, beans, tomatoes, rourou, lemon, kumala and cassava.”
Tuira said he worked until noon at his farm and spent the rest of the day pushing his wheelbarrow at the market.
“I do that five days a week and rest on Saturday because that is my Sabbath.
“My father-in-law and brothers-in-law help me on the farm every day and we are planning to buy a vehicle soon.
“My advice to anyone facing the same issue is to work hard and seek God and his kingdom first because he will blesses you and whatever you do.”
