In the vibrant bus stand of the capital city, 20-year-old Asenaca Marama is ready to assist her next customer. As she operates her grandfather’s juice stand, she demonstrates remarkable persistence and dedication.
For Marama, the juice stand transcends mere business; it has evolved into a vital source of support for her family, providing food and meeting other essential needs over the years. A former student of Mahatma Gandhi Memorial High School and the fifth of six siblings, she has always been driven and hardworking. Despite the challenges she’s faced, she maintains a positive attitude.
“My childhood was tough,” she shared. “My father was the sole breadwinner, and we often struggled. There were times when we had no food at home or even for school lunches.” Yet, these difficulties only fueled her determination to succeed and shaped her into the resilient young woman she is today.
“I consider myself hardworking, independent, and a little quirky,” she noted, adding that the juice vending business has taught her valuable lessons about perseverance amid life’s challenges.
Her grandfather, a constant source of inspiration, often reminds her to maintain her faith. “He encourages me to have a relationship with God and trust in Him, which helps me cope with negativity from others,” she explained.
Despite her age, Marama sees her role as one of support for those facing tough days. “I offer juice to customers who seem down; it helps them unwind and sometimes leads to meaningful conversations,” she said.
Working six days a week, she enjoys dancing, singing, and playing volleyball and netball in her free time, and is currently learning to play the guitar. She expresses deep gratitude toward her parents and grandfather for their unwavering support, saying, “Without them, I wouldn’t be who I am today.”
Marama also extends her appreciation to her friends for their companionship during challenging times. She encourages young people to maintain a positive outlook and never lose hope, reassuring them that their difficulties will not last forever.