At 6 AM, while many are still cozy in their beds, Ulamila Rabe is already up and active. Her job requires her to be out on the streets as dawn breaks. Despite the laborious nature of her work, Ulamila takes pride in being one of Savusavu’s street cleaners. “My job pays the bills,” she explains. “It is an important one and I have to love it.”
Alongside two other female colleagues, Ulamila takes on the vital task of keeping the streets of Savusavu clean. Although this role may be overlooked by many, it is essential and necessary. “It is not an easy job but it is satisfying, especially knowing that you are part of a beauty campaign,” she adds. “When I’m tired at the end of the day, I just look at the clean streets and feel good.”
Despite facing a lack of appreciation, Ulamila and her coworkers carry on resolutely, carrying their brooms and dustbins throughout the town, known as the Hidden Paradise. Approximately three years ago, to address the growing litter problem, especially during a time of increased tourism, local authorities formed an all-female street cleaning team. The rationale was straightforward — if women could maintain cleanliness at home, they could do the same for the town.
This initiative proved successful, and it did not take long for the community to notice the improved conditions. The female sweepers work six days a week in two shifts: from 6 AM to 12 PM and from 9 AM to 5 PM. Another dedicated street cleaner, Tikoivatukoula Vuniqaikula, originally from Qeleni, Wainikeli in Cakaudrove province, lives in Urata Village with her husband. Previously a stay-at-home mom relying on her farmer husband, she now earns money through her work to support her family.
“It didn’t take long before authorities found out that we did a better job than men and the streets looked cleaner at the end of the day,” Tikoivatukoula says, noting that the job was permanently assigned to the three women. Initially, sweeping public streets was not a responsibility they eagerly accepted. They faced feelings of fear and shame at first. However, this perspective has changed. “Initially, we were a bit shy because no iTaukei women had done this job before. We were also wary of how members of the public would perceive us,” Tikoivatukoula recalls.
To overcome their hesitations, the women began to view their work as a crucial household chore. “Now we are proud of what we do. We see it as an important contribution to the community,” she adds. “Without us, Savusavu would be in a mess and our streets would be filthy.” Tikoivatukoula expresses gratitude for the challenges that drive her to work hard and persevere. “Sweeping rubbish on the streets dumped by others may be viewed as an unworthy job, but in a lowly place like this, God can lift someone small and make them an example to the world.”
The women are eager to share their story with Fiji and the globe about their efforts to keep Savusavu clean and beautiful. Ulamila lives in Yaroi, near town, where she looks after her two youngest children who are in secondary school. Her earnings are intended to provide her children with the best opportunities, far removed from the streets of Savusavu. Although their work is demanding, hazardous, and not very glamorous, they persist. They frequently face exposure to harsh weather conditions, insults, and harassment.
Regardless of the challenges they encounter, Ulamila and Tikoivatukoula understand the pressing issue of increasing litter and waste in their communities. Overflowing public waste bins lead to unsightly streets, unpleasant odors, and detrimental effects on community health and the environment. Without proper equipment and tools, their work can become burdensome and unsafe.
Nevertheless, Ulamila and Tikoivatukoula remain steadfast, confident that their roles are crucial for maintaining a clean, healthy, and disease-free environment. “We enjoy the work we do because it is a natural progression from what we do at home. Women persevere and are enduring,” Ulamila states. Their simple request to the public is to be responsible for their waste: “Always put it in a bin and respect the environment and the right of others to enjoy living in a clean and safe place.”