Quitters give up when the going gets tough and when responsibilities prove too heavy to bear.
For canteen owner Makitalena Vonokula, giving up was never an option.
With her 75-year-old mother as her inspiration, she pushed through seven tough months of training and became one of 105 women who graduated in Suva last week from the Academy for Women Entrepreneur (AWE).
She attended training in Labasa every fortnight in an effort to boost her canteen business that she started in March last year.
“It was not easy paying for fares to attend classes in Labasa Town but in the end, it was worth the sacrifice,” she said.
Makitalena travelled from Vanua Levu to receive her certificate in Suva.
She hails from Yaroi, Savusavu, in Cakaudrove.
“I’m the only one who looks after mum. I want to be financially stable to do that.”
Living in a village setting meant there were other obligations that Makitalena had to fulfill.
She never turned away from those added duties.
“There are village and church responsibilities that I have to fulfill so I need to be financially independent.
“This motivated me to go for classes in Labasa, to better manage my business and earn more.”
Makitalena grew up in a family of nine siblings where she was one of the youngest.
“While looking after mum, I also thought it would be good to start up a business to help at home, in the village and in the church.”
Makitalena saw an opportunity to start a canteen after a bit of research.
“I started my canteen business in March last year. Whatever I thought I could sell I sold in the beginning.
“I saw that people would pay a lot of money to go to the nearest shop to buy. By setting up a shop where I lived, my community members saved cash and bought more items for their homes. I started out with three items and now I sell many more.”
Makitalena does not seem to be the ordinary canteen lady.
She also has a few side hustles to help her generate extra cash.
She engages in livestock farming and has a plantation where she has about 1000 dalo plants.
“If life has taught me anything, then it has to be the fact that it is very unpredictable.”
Makitalena has also been subjected to life’s unforeseen circumstances that have tested her strength.
“A few weeks after I started my canteen, I was looking forward to banking some of the profit I earned. But I couldn’t do that because we had two deaths in the family.
“There was nowhere else where we could get money for the two funerals. There were also family members who were sick and needed help. These expenses were all taken from my business.”
Calling it a day wasn’t on Makitalena’s mind.
She took on the challenge and had a little bit of help.
“During that difficult financial period, I pressed on. I saved whatever money I could while making sure I fulfilled my obligations.
“I am a woman of faith and I chose to rely on God constantly. He continued to provide for me.”
Makitalena’s motto is to not give up no matter how difficult life could get.
“There is nothing that’s too difficult for us to achieve.
“God has been faithful to me. No matter what circumstances you may face, don’t give up.”
