Pillay Channels Success to Help Laid off Workers
Being abandoned by his parents at a very young age did not stop 35-yearold businessman, Anand Pillay, from pursuing his dreams.
The father of two children owns a timber yard, The Exotic Dream Builders Holding Private Limited, which started seven months ago at Wailoaloa in Nadi. Mr Pillay who was raised by an iTaukei couple only knows the Nadi-based orphanage as his own home.
His past did dissuade him from following his dream.
“The iTaukei couple, who owned that orphanage, took care of me with nine other children. I only knew them as my real parents till today and their son as my brother, Maika Kasami (a former national and Nadi footballer),”Mr Pillay said. He said while growing up he always had a passion for construction work and wanted to become an architect.
“At a very young age I always dreamt of becoming an architect. After school I used to stop by those big houses which were still under construction in my area, and love to watch the work men doing their construction work.” he said.
Mr Pillay said, he left school early and started working at the Total Service Station. Here he started saving money.
“I left school at Form Five and started working at a service station because I wanted to save some money for my education,” Mr Pillay said.
“I then rented a room nearby where I worked.”
Following his dream, he completed a few courses at the Fiji National University, and after graduating he successfully got a job in New Zealand.
“Working in New Zealand enabled me to save more money to start my timber yard business in Fiji,” Mr Pillay said.
With his new business venture, it has helped provide work for some of his friends who got laid off work from hotels.
“During this pandemic, I am grateful that I am able to give them a job that will help support their families,” he said.
Mr Pillay said it was through hard work, patience and good management that he was able to succeed in life.