To an everyday city person, owning a stove top, a washing machine and a freezer is a given, but to a villager, it’s a door of opportunities.

This is true for Vunitogoloa Village nurse Timaima Racagica. She is said to be the only successful recipient in her village from Government’s COVID-19 Concessional Loan Package for Micro Small Medium Enterprises.

The 45-year-old said it had been a blessing for her because she doesn’t have to solely rely on her village nurse allowance.

“Timsem Refreshment Bar is the name of my business. I started this a year ago to help with our household needs,” she said.

“Many from my village applied and I was the only one who got my loan approved.”

Ms Racagica sells cooked food packs mainly to the people in her village in Vunitogoloa, Ra.

Since the pandemic she noticed her sales have increased because more people who lost their jobs have returned to the village.

“My business has boomed because people are too busy to cook, which is good for me,” she said.

“Because of this I will be able to pay my loan off faster than I anticipated.”

She said she was a member of many women’s groups, but never got anywhere.

Ms Racagica received a total loan of $7000 that has allowed her to buy a stove top, washing machine and a freezer.

She plans to expand her business by also offering laundry services if needed and to have a small restaurant where she can serve local travellers.

Edited by Ranoba Baoa

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