At 26 years old, Stella Selina has encountered more challenges than many do in a lifetime. Hailing from Kadavu, she spent her childhood in a troubled household in Veisari, near Lami. Her early life was characterized by instability due to her parents’ deteriorating marriage.
Stella recalls, “My younger brother and I lived with my mother until I turned 10, and we had to rely on social welfare because my mother wasn’t employed.” Eventually, her parents’ separation led to a chaotic childhood filled with social welfare interventions and court disputes.
Having spent her early years shuttling between her mother, father, and various relatives, Stella longed for a more stable and promising future. Despite her circumstances, her resilience remained intact. At the age of 16, she made the difficult choice to leave school to provide for her family.
“Life was challenging, so I had to drop out of high school to support my mom, who had started a new family,” she explained. Though her stepfather’s kindness and her mother’s new family offered some comfort, Stella’s commitment to her younger brother never wavered.
At 17, Stella began working at a media company, juggling multiple shifts in different roles. She later took on a position as a sales assistant at Harrison’s, where she met her future husband, Rav Neil Prakash. The couple married when Stella was just 19 and now reside in Sawani with their two children, a seven-year-old daughter and a one-year-old son.
“Even though my husband supports me, I cherish my independence,” she shared. “My main goal is to be self-sufficient. After years of working various jobs, I grew tired of being employed by others. I wanted to establish my own business.”
Stella’s aspirations began to materialize through the “Start and Improve Your Own Business” training provided by the Ministry of Trade. Motivated by her mother-in-law, she seized the chance to acquire the knowledge and skills essential for her entrepreneurial dreams.
Today, Stella is more resolute than ever in her pursuit of success. “I understand how to manage my business moving forward, and I look forward to attending more training sessions in the future,” she stated.
Her message to young women striving for independence is, “Utilize the resources available to you and never depend on others to define your success.” With her recent training, Stella is on the path to achieving her dreams, proving that even the toughest beginnings can lead to extraordinary accomplishments. “I know what struggle is, but with dedication and realistic goals, anyone can achieve great things.”