Maca Momoivalu launched her business a year ago, starting with a $50 investment in a bag of cassava. With aspirations in her pocket, she has transformed her venture into a beacon of hope and a means of livelihood. Hailing from Raviravi, Matuku in Lau, she has become a well-known figure on Wailea Street, Vatuwaqa, where she sells an array of vegetables and fresh coconut juice.
A 2020 UN Women report highlights the crucial role of farmers and women vendors like Ms. Momoivalu in ensuring food security and supporting local markets. These vendors make significant contributions to their families and communities, and roadside stalls are recognized as essential sources of food and income.
For Ms. Momoivalu, this insight is profoundly true. She relies on her earnings to provide for her family. At 56 years old, she acknowledges the challenges of being a new vendor, yet she has persevered through numerous difficulties to reach her current position. As a mother of six, she faces a demanding situation but remains undeterred, working diligently to support her family.
“My business started in 2023 when I purchased a $50 bag of cassava from a middleman. I have never looked back,” she shares. Initially, profits were hard to come by, but as she began earning, she expanded her offerings to include cabbage and eggplant, which contributed to the growth of her business.
Ms. Momoivalu reinvested her earnings to construct a small canteen that sells essential food items like sugar, milk, and canned goods. “The stall is built from cardboard and iron that I collected or received from friends and family. My floor is made of pallets, and my roof comprises mostly old corrugated iron sheets, yet this has not dampened my determination to earn a living.”
She also faces challenges related to the practice of ‘dinau’ (credit), noting, “Sometimes the dinau can reach up to $100, and some customers fail to pay. However, this doesn’t shake my confidence in myself or my business; I am grateful to still be able to provide for my family.”
In addition to running her food stall, Ms. Momoivalu engages in sewing, which complements her canteen business. “Three of my children are married, and the other three live with me. One of them cuts hair. My son assists me occasionally by giving haircuts to small children, and some of the money goes toward electricity bills and other essentials.”
Looking ahead, Ms. Momoivalu has ambitious plans to expand her operations. “I aim to grow my business by building an additional room for my son to cut hair.”
Her advice to young people is to “have faith.” She encourages them, “If you have a plan, put in the effort to achieve that goal with determination and hard work. Don’t let obstacles or others deter you from accomplishing your dreams.”