At 74, retired constable Mere Tukai still rises before dawn to set up a small market stall in Narere, selling fresh greens and homegrown produce to help support a large family that spans Fiji’s security forces. The new profile of Mrs Tukai outlines how decades of public service, single parenthood and quiet faith have shaped a life of continued labour and sacrifice as the cost of living squeezes household budgets.
Originally from the island of Qoma in Tailevu, Mrs Tukai said she took up the stall not only for income but for independence and purpose. “I’m 74 years old, but I don’t want my age to stop me from providing for my family,” she said. The profile records that after retiring from the Fiji Police Force and losing her partner, she raised seven children on her own — a task she describes as difficult but sustained by faith. “Raising my children was very challenging, but my faith in God helped me endure everything,” she added.
The family’s commitment to national service is pronounced: six of her children now serve in the Republic of Fiji Military Forces while her youngest son is a police officer who lives with her in Narere. Mrs Tukai’s earnings from the stall are handed straight back into the household. “For my business, I don’t keep money. What I earn, I give to my children and grandchildren,” she said, underlining that providing for her family remains her priority even in retirement.
Economic pressures have made that role more difficult. The profile notes the family spends close to $300 every two weeks on groceries purchased from the nearby New World supermarket, with her daughter‑in‑law usually doing the shopping. To stretch resources and supply her stall, Mrs Tukai’s son leases land where the family grows staples and vegetables — including tavioka and dalo — which both feed the household and supply her market table.
Mrs Tukai emphasises healthy eating as part of her stall’s appeal, prioritising fresh greens for customers and family alike. She also views the daily work as both physical and mental exercise that keeps her active and engaged with the Narere community. “The money I earn, I use to help the family as much as I can,” she said, acknowledging that rising prices make saving difficult but that giving remains a source of joy.
The profile adds a personal dimension to broader conversations about ageing, family networks and household resilience in urban Fiji. It documents how one woman has turned public service experience and small‑scale entrepreneurship into intergenerational support — a practical response to tightening household budgets and a testament to community ties and faith that continue to sustain her.
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