Single mother Tarusila Vunisa raises her children alone with courage and fortitude and with a firm belief they would grow up to be strong individuals later in life.
She tries her best to be a leading example, a woman of faith and a mother who considers her children as her source of strength.
Like many other single parents out there, the Lautoka woman takes on every challenge, come what may, and handles it as best as she can without submission.
She said she could not afford to sit back and witness her three children aged 11, 5 and two suffer daily so she took that extra mile to give them her best.
The 37-year-old operates a small canteen business from her Seniyaya settlement home outside Lautoka City.
It is the only income earner for the family of four. She said she faced challenges on a daily basis whether it be customers relying on credit and some delayed with paying their credits.
And while she understands that her canteen helps families a lot, she survives on the profits.
“I try to ensure our business profits for the wellbeing of my family.
I have learnt to be strong as my children grow older because I’m the only one they can turn to at this stage of their lives,” Ms Vunisa said.
“It is never easy, it requires a lot of patience and dedication, but I am always working hard because I don’t want my children to go to bed hungry at the end of the day.
“I brought up my three children on my own and the small canteen business has been really helpful, but we have had to use our earnings to cater for us leaving less or nothing at times for savings.
Ms Vunisa said the business suffered a couple of weeks ago when it ran out of stock because she used up earnings to foot for her family’s bills and daily needs during the lockdown period.
But she did not give up hope because she believed there would always be light for them at the end of the tunnel.
She says the power of belief is incredible and she places her belief and strength in God.
“It would be quite tight at times because I am not working, but I always make sure I meet my children’s needs and that they do not need to go knocking on another door to get what they need.”
Ms Vunisa said being a single mother had taught her a lot in life and moulded her to be a strong individual.
And while her canteen remains without out amble stock she is looking for assistance to buy groceries to help her get back to her feet. She said she remained hopeful despite the odds.
