A go-getter, Elenoa Luveni, pushes the boundaries that are often associated with being a widow to achieve her goal in starting a small business for her family.
Her family was shattered by the sudden loss of her husband, a sole breadwinner in 2009. Ms Luveni picked up the pieces of losing a loved one and set out on a rollercoaster journey. Even with the struggles of making ends meet daily after their loss, Ms Luveni had to commit herself to carrying on the responsibility of being a good role model to her two daughters.
Like any caring daughter, Ms Luveni also took it upon herself to care for her father, a widower — making sure no one was left behind in their pursuit of a better life.
Ms Luveni, who hails from Matokana Village in Ono-i-Lau, said life wasn’t easy but it was because of the love they shared that kept them strong during those difficult times.
“I struggled to adjust to the new life I had as a widow especially taking up both parental role in my daughters’ lives,” Ms Luveni said.
“Through the past years with hard work and tears, I managed to achieve some of my personal goals. One was to build our home — which we achieved in 2013.
“I thank God for this transition in our lives, especially helping me find myself and making me believe that through Him everything was possible.” She also thanked her family and friends for their endless support and prayers over the years. “They have helped me see life positively despite what I go through,” she said.
A few years later, Ms Luveni started looking at ways of having a steady income for her family. She then heard about the Makoi Women’s Vocational Training Centre which offered courses for women facing certain difficulties in life. “I got to know about the centre in August last year through social media and saw that courses there empowered women from all walks of life,” she said.
“The classes offered, gave opportunities to women that go through difficulties in life to be educated and to be equipped with skills that can help them in starting a business or simply to just become independent.”
She said even her daughter also attended the course at the centre.
“I always promote the centre as much as I can to family and friends who are willing to take up the chance to make something out of life,” she said. After graduating from the centre in the cooking and pastry course this month, Ms Luveni was happy to share her story on how she slowly achieved her goal of starting a business.
“My business plan is underway now, opening our home for homestay with Japanese students from the Freebird Institute,” she said.
“They get to enjoy our Fijian hospitality with home baked breakfast to delicious dinners right at home.
“My cooking and pastry skills from the course are being put to good use for our new business.
“The centre has groomed me with skills and knowledge and I believe that our business will become successful.”
She said the centre has helped her to become a good individual in society.
Now her priority is offering her guests healthy, authentic and tasty homemade meals with love. She said anyone can achieve their goals if they are determined to achieve it.
