Lata reaps benefit
SANJINI Saleshni Lata did not complete Form Seven because of her family’s financial circumstances.
In 2007, she sought formal employment to support her family and started out as a packaging staff at Nama Fiji.
Fast forward to 2024, and Ms Lata is a shareholder in the company.
Hers is one of the many stories shared during the Vodafone and Fiji Fashion Week International Women’s Day Breakfast 2024, held at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva on Wednesday.
Originally from Mulomulo,
Nadi, Ms Lata presently stays with her husband and in-laws.
“I started working in 2007 and at that time, I was just a packaging staff and slowly, I started learning,” she said.
“There were some trainers from overseas who came to train us and after that, we gained more knowledge in the areas of production. I did not do Form Seven because my family was not able to afford it at that time and I had to start working.
“I left school, and I started working here immediately in packaging and now, I am the production manager.”
These fruits of labour did not come easy for Ms Lata, and she said there was a lot of hard work and perseverance involved in reaching this position.
“If I can do it, so can any woman. Don’t be afraid. If you have the will and the drive to carry this out, you can do anything.”
Nama Fiji managing director Debra Sadranu also spoke about the need for women to encourage and support each other.
She outlined the journey of Nama Fiji over the years and the company’s role in creating guaranteed employment for female graduates.
To harvest nama, the main ingredients in the company’s products, women from Somosomo Village in Yasawa are employed.
Ms Sadranu said the company had worked with Market Development Facility (MDF) to help set up proper sustainable harvesting practices, revenue streams and protection of coral.
“We are now a company of 25 women. Aside from our women harvesters, all our women are HODs who manage our facility, right through to my financial controller, and it’s an incredible business.
“This shows what we can accomplish as women in Fiji, with our natural resources. Collectively, we can achieve so much. As women, we must help each other.”
Ms Sadranu said Nama Fiji products were already available in the US and New Zealand markets. Last week, they launched the products in Hong Kong, and the same will be launched in the EU, UK, and Australia on May 1.