Single mother from Votualevu, Nadi starts business to support her son and other family members

A 27-year-old woman from Votualevu, Nadi says she has faced a lot of challenges being a single mother and has come up with the idea of making products that will support her son and other family members.

Naina Senito was part of around 50 women entrepreneurs from urban and rural communities in Viti Levu and Vanua Levu who showcased their products in the AWEsome Fiji Holiday Fair at Thurston Gardens.

Senito showcased fabric and pastries at the fair.

Senito says she used to doubt her products but has now changed her mentality.

A student of College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Kaylyn Rakoroi who was selling food items at the fair says her mother lost her job due to the COVID-19 pandemic and they came up with the idea to start this business to have a sustainable living.

Rakoroi adds she is thankful to the program which is a great initiative to support families in Fiji.

Nearly 300 Fijian women have been trained by the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs in the fundamentals of business development.

Academy for Women Entrepreneurs is a U.S. Government-funded program that provides women entrepreneurs with the skills, resources, and networks needed to start and grow successful businesses.

US Embassy's Charge d Affaires to Fiji Tony Greubel says they are delighted to showcase the work of the participants of the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs for the second year in a row and are excited about their success.

He says they are honoured to support strong and creative women to learn from each other and gain the skills needed to support their businesses, communities, and the local economy, which have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Embassy has partnered with the Women Entrepreneurs Business Council and the Makoi Women’s Vocational Centre to implement the program in Fiji and have also included both new and seasoned women entrepreneurs.

The AWEsome Holiday Fair featured clothing, jewellery, fabric, home decor, Christmas crafts, and a variety of foods, including fresh produce, preserved foods, pastries, and savoury snacks.