Alisi Tokalau has become a beacon of resilience and dedication in Labasa Town since beginning her journey as a sasa broom seller in 2016. Her story resonates particularly as the world celebrated International Women’s Day, highlighting the unique contributions of women to local economies.
Tokalau, a 35-year-old mother of five, emphasizes the multifaceted uses of sasa brooms in households—from cleaning to warding off negative energies, and as gifts during ceremonies. “These brooms serve various purposes in every home,” she noted, reflecting on their integral presence in daily life.
Despite the hurdles of selling her handcrafted brooms door-to-door, her motivation springs from the responsibility she feels for her family’s wellbeing. Leveraging the coconut trees in Yalava Village where she resides provides the raw materials for her brooms, illustrating her resourcefulness in utilizing local resources for her business.
Tokalau can prepare 25 brooms in just two days and sells them for $5 each, generating an income of $125 weekly. This earnings help her manage household needs while also allowing her to contribute to communal fundraising efforts for her village’s women’s group and church.
Her educational background includes a Certificate Level 2 in Catering from the Technical College of Fiji, along with five years of experience as a kindergarten teacher. “I am proud of what I do. Selling sasa brooms is an easy yet effective way to provide for my family,” she declared, emphasizing that she always finds customers, even from passing pedestrians.
Her strategy of pricing her products lower than those at the market has been key to her success, making her goods accessible to a wider clientele. “To all the women out there, be proud of your work, whether it’s simple or from a high office,” Tokalau encourages, advocating for independence and setting a strong example for her children about hard work and perseverance.
Tokalau’s story mirrors those of other women like Peniana Matai and Lenisa Vurusa, who have also carved out paths in market trading despite various challenges. Both exemplify the spirit of perseverance, showing how entrepreneurial ventures not only uplift individual families but also contribute significantly to community economies.
These inspiring narratives form a hopeful outlook on local entrepreneurship, emphasizing the important role women play in supporting their families and fostering community resilience. Such stories serve to motivate others, revealing that success often lies in heart and hard work rather than formal titles.
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