Open Market Helps Our Entrepreneurs
‘I have been inundated with orders for my quilt and patch work handicrafts and I sometimes spend the whole day just working on completing my orders’
Don’t use COVID-19 as an excuse to be helpless, explore the many opportunities and work harder.
Those were the sentiments of quilter, Adi Lolo Marayawa.
The 39-year-old was one of the many vendors looking for sales opportunities and exposure during the Market Day at the Ratu Sukuna Park in Suva yesterday.
The event is a collaboration between four Government ministries and centres namely the:
■ Ministry of Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport,
■ Ministry of Employment, Youth and Productivity.
■ Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, and
■ National Employment Centre. Each ministry is expected to showcase its strengths at the open market day.
The Market Day provided a platform for Fijian women and youths to market their handicrafts and home-made goods.
Ms Marayawa said while many had complained that the pandemic had left them in a state of poverty, she believed that excuses were only for those who did not work and try harder.
“I left Ba as soon as the curfew was lifted at 4am today to be able to sell here,” Ms Marayawa said. “I have been inundated with orders for my quilt and patch work handicrafts and I sometimes spend the whole day just working on completing my orders.
“If you’ve lost your job during this pandemic, then there’s opportunities to venture into widely available. COVID-19 has not taken away everything.”
The mother of one said the returns for her hard work had been encouraging.
“I have a very supportive husband and he has assisted me in so many ways,” Ms Marayawa said.
“In this business you have to have a heart that is willing to defy the odds. This will help you go a long way.”
Minister for Women Children and Poverty Alleviation Mereseini
Vuniwaqa said: “Your business is going to grow; you must commit to it and claim your success.
“Thank you for your perseverance and hard work. There is no magic bullet and there is no such thing as an overnight success.
“To the women here, if we women want to change the ratio and proliferate women led businesses, then the change has to start with us.”
Thank you for your perseverance and hard work. There is no magic bullet and there is no such thing as an overnight success. Mereseini Vuniwaqa Minister for Women Children and Poverty Alleviation