For Miriama Baleinabau, every parcel she sells tells a story of hard work, patience and dedication.
Through her small food stall, she has built a life defined not by wealth but effort and purpose.
The Rakiraki native shared that selling food was not just a way to earn money, it was also a way to contribute to her family’s well-being daily.
Miriama is happily married with seven children, 10 grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
While her children are still in primary school, Miriama had to think of a way to help support her family.
She said her business was established at Bishop Kempthorne Memorial School in Newtown, Nasinu.
Miriama started her business while all her children were at school.
“I started selling roti, bhajia as well as fish and tavioka parcels at my children’s school.
Later she opened a stall at the Valelevu market.
After six years of selling juice and roti at the market Miriama gained enough creative ideas to grow her business and sell other Fijian dishes.
Miriama buys her produce from various people around Fiji and has a whole system running to ensure she has all ingredients supplied to make delicious food parcels every day.
“My kaikoso is ordered from Nakalawaca Village, Namara and my nama supply (sea grapes) and lumi (seaweed) is bought from Ra.
“I buy my tavioka stock at the Valelevu market.”
Miriama’s daily battle is the preparation of her food parcels she needs well presented in a timely way.
Her eldest daughter helps her with cooking for her business everyday
While most of Fiji is still asleep Miriama and her daughter are awake and out of bed by 4am to prepare the food parcels she brings to the market for her regular customers.
It starts with boiling and cleaning of mouth-watering kaikoso and nama served in raw thick coconut cream to skinning and cutting fresh fish slices for kokoda or marinated fish in fresh lemons topped with garnishing like tomatoes, onions and dhania as well as spring onions).
All their parcels are ready by 8am, as her transport arrives to take her to the market.
Despite the challenges she faces each day Miriama’s determination and positive spirit continues to inspire her family.
Her journey sows that hard work and perseverance can turn a simple trade into a meaningful source of income.
Through her hard work Miriama provides for her loved ones and shows that success begins with passion, patience and purpose.
The post TIMES SHOPPER | Her daily dish of hard work appeared first on The Fiji Times.
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