Surviving in the Market

Anise Marama, who is 88 years old, never stops smiling despite what one might assume about life at the market—cold, hard floors, and mosquitoes.

She enjoys exploring, being amused by her customers, and having a stress-free life where she spends her days sitting at her market stand.

When I went to the market at 7.30 a.m. on a wet Friday to buy veggies, Anise was there, prepared to sell MOLI (lemons).

She was left alone in the Wainibuku community by her families. When she was 79 years old in 2015, she came to Bayly Welfare Suva for assistance.

Her major source of income was from the market, where she bought and sold coconuts for very little profit.

She now sleeps in the market and sells everything she can after finding it extremely difficult to get on the bus and come to sell. She is incredibly appreciative of Bayly Welfare’s assistance.

She is taken care of and fed by the women at the market.

By Manager Central – Manorma Chandra