65-year-old Kelerayani Tinai is thankful for the support provided by the non-government organisation, FRIEND Fiji during the COVID-19 period last year as her main source of living was cut off due to the lockdown.
Tinai sells food at the Lautoka Bus Stand from 7pm to midnight to cater for late travellers and drivers and she prepares all her food at her dwelling at Lovu HART home before arriving at the bus stand by 6pm.
She sells roti parcels at $1, coffee, tea as well rourou and meat.
The 65-year-old widow could barely manage her expenses and her daughter's school expenses through the social welfare allowance of $30 per month.
She says she hit rock bottom because she had no income during the lockdown and she struggled to feed her family.
Tinai says she is thankful to FRIEND Fiji for the food rations.
She turned to FRIEND Fiji for Livelihood assistance to restart her business, where she attended business planning training and learnt about costing, budgeting, marketing and record-keeping.
The NGO also provided her with equipment and Livelihood support worth $2000 with the assistance of the New Zealand High Commission in Suva.
CEO Sashi Kiran and business mentor Alipate Mucunabitu who caught up with her at her stall highlighted their team of business mentors will continue to visit and support her over next few months.
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