Ministry assists female entrepreneurs
Suva, May 25 – Two female entrepreneurs of Lautoka received assistance and donations from the Minister for Youth and Sports over the weekend.
Minister for Youth and Sports, Hon. Laisenia Bale Tuitubou, handed over cooking implements to Ms Nelly Vunisa of Natabua, and groceries to Mereseini Qalobula Raseru of Lovu for her canteen.
Nelly, a single mother resides with her mother, brother and daughter and has taken over her mother’s jam making business and said that “her dad has left them.”
Nelly has Trade Diploma in Agriculture from Fiji National University (FNU) and has also attended training in Housekeeping and Food and Beverage recently organised by the Ministry.
“I was doing my practical in Navua while attending FNU and became a victim of sexual abuse,” said the softly-spoken Nelly. “Due to the trauma I experienced from that ordeal, my mother thought it was best and safer for me to stay home.”
“My mother has passed her knowledge on to me and I am so happy to be carrying on to assist her earn for our family,” said Nelly.
“I am so grateful towards the assistance and it will certainly help me grow my business,” said Nelly.
Mereseini was also delighted of the assistance delivered by Minister Tuitubou and said; “This assistance will really help grow my small canteen her in Lovu.”
Mereseini could not return to full-time employment after a medical operation and has been unemployed for several years now.
She attended a Seeds of Success empowerment training organised by the Ministry after which she was motivated to start her small business to support her family.
“The training I attended really empowered me that I can do something for myself and become successful if I dream big and work hard to achieve my dreams,” said Mereseini.
Youth and Sports Minister, Hon. Laisenia Tuitubou, heaped praise on both entrepreneurs and “encouraged them to continue to work hard and pursue your passions and dreams.”
“You have to be creative and plan on how you can take your business to the next level,” Hon. Tuitubou told Nelly on Saturday. “Make use of your qualifications and also social media to market your produce to friends and the community to grow your business.”
Hon. Tuitubou also encouraged Mere on Saturday “to strive for excellence in business and be a role model for other young female entrepreneurs.”
“Also make sure you maintain a clear and clean record of all transactions and separate your business from family affairs to ensure it grows and lasts,” said Hon Tuitubou.
He told both female entrepreneurs that “assistance for business is available with other agencies and you both need to record all events of business and attempt to pursue expansion and further assistance from other agencies.”