At just 26 years old, Stella Selina has encountered more challenges than most people face in a lifetime. Hailing from Kadavu, she grew up in a troubled environment in Veisari, near Lami, as her parents’ marriage began to fall apart.
Stella reflected on her childhood, stating, “My younger brother and I lived with our mother until I turned 10, and we had to rely on social welfare as my mother was not employed.” The separation of her parents brought a series of difficulties, with social welfare and court disputes becoming commonplace in her life.
After navigating her early years with her mother, father, and various relatives, she longed for stability and an improved future. Despite her struggles, Stella’s determination remained intact. At the age of 16, she made the hard choice to leave school to help support her family. “Our life was challenging, so I had to drop out of high school to assist my mother, especially since she had started a new family,” she explained.
While her stepfather and mother’s new family offered some comfort, Stella’s commitment to supporting her younger brother was a constant motivation. By 17, she began working at a media company, often putting in double shifts. Later, she transitioned to a role as a sales assistant at Harrison’s, where she met her future husband, Rav Neil Prakash. The couple tied the knot when Stella was only 19 and currently lives in Sawani with their two children, a seven-year-old daughter and a one-year-old son.
“Even though my husband supports me, achieving independence is essential,” she stated. “My primary goal is to be self-sufficient. I’ve worked numerous double shifts, and it’s exhausting to always work for someone else. I want to run my own business.”
Stella’s aspiration became feasible after participating in the “Start and Improve Your Own Business” training facilitated by the Ministry of Trade. Motivated by her mother-in-law, she seized the chance to acquire the necessary skills to bring her business vision to life.
Now more determined than ever, Stella said, “I know how to manage my business moving forward, and I’m eager to attend more training sessions in the future.”
Her advice to young girls and women seeking independence is to “leverage available resources and never depend on others to define your success.” With her newfound training, Stella is set to achieve her dreams, proving that even the toughest beginnings can lead to extraordinary accomplishments. “I understand what struggles are like, but with diligence and a clear goal, anyone can achieve anything.”