Payal Preeti Kumar has been selling pineapples since last year at the Lautoka Municipal Market — juggling errands at home with it.
The 20-year-old resident of Lovu in Lautoka said the pineapple business made ends meet for her.
“I am originally from Valley Rd in Sigatoka,” she said.
“My father’s name is Nilesh Chand and mum’s name is Doreen Lata Singh. I am the second eldest in the family and I have two brothers and a sister. I couldn’t pursue further secondary school education because I was unable to find a school in Sigatoka that was within close vicinity to where I was staying after reuniting with my parents.
“Before this, I was at an aunt’s place in Korovuto, Nadi and could only finish Year 11 at Korovuto College. I got married when I reached 18 and relocated to Lautoka.
“Despite facing a culture shock I navigated my way through an urban setting. It was difficult in the beginning of my marriage life, but words of wisdom from my parents motivated me to overcome the obstacles.”
Payal said her parents taught her to work extra hard to be a successful person.
“I have been operating my own pineapple business. Actually my uncle was the one who advised me to start a small business. I purchase pineapples from farmers residing in Paipai, Lautoka.
“He usually delivers the pineapples to my stall so I save money on cartage costs. Pineapples are a good snack choice because it’s low in calories and high in vitamins.
“Eating pineapples in a day also contributes to having a well-balanced diet. I sell pineapples for 50 cents or $1 a piece and I get a lot of students as customers.”
“The COVID-19 pandemic did affect my business. I lost a lot of money because of the lockdowns, however, things were improving a little. “Thanks to the Government’s stall fee waiver initiative this year I am able to get my own stall.
“The business is slowly picking up momentum although I can’t wait for some form of normalcy to return especially the new school year from January onwards because school students are my number one customers.
“I earn about $60 on busy days and lesser on not so busy days. I have also started to save $5 in my infant’s piggy bank and my family will be celebrating his first birthday next year.
“I am also saving part of the income I earn in a day towards my education because the desire to become a qualified pastry chef is still very much alive in my heart.”
Payal’s said she learned to make ends meet.
“I do not have any complaints. I am breathing, which is the most important thing.”
Her strong messages to the masses are to be determined to succeed.
“Life is never easy and the tough ones fight until the end to achieve, while the lazy ones sit and complain.
“Any person who believes in hard work and has the determination to persevere will always succeed.”
