Rovelina Roshan’s journey from the Philippines to owning a thriving tailoring business in Fiji is a testament to resilience and adaptability. Arriving in Fiji in 1995, Mrs. Roshan came from a humble background in Quezon City. Initially working in a garment factory, her life took a pivotal turn when she signed a contract with Ghim Li Global Pte Ltd, which was seeking workers to help recover from a devastating fire at their Lautoka branch.
At just 19 years old, Mrs. Roshan left the Philippines, unexpectedly redirected from a planned job in Brunei to Fiji. In 1997, she married Rakesh Rohan, a fellow factory worker, and together they had a son in 1999. Reflecting on her journey, she expressed pride in how her small shop has continued to cater to the tailoring needs of the Lautoka community.
Following the closure of the Ghim Li factory in 2005, Mrs. Roshan began sewing from home. She opened her first shop in 2006, sharing space in a barber shop before moving to her current location on Tukani Street in 2011. Her dedication to her craft is evident as she sources materials from various suppliers and offers a range of services, from everyday clothing to wedding gowns, with a focus on traditional iTaukei garments like the sulu and jaba.
Despite the challenges of running a small business, Mrs. Roshan finds satisfaction in covering her family’s expenses through her work. Her husband now works as a loans officer, and together they have supported their son through his educational journey, culminating in his recent graduation in medicine from the University of Fiji.
Mrs. Roshan is proud of her son, who has begun his medical career at Lautoka Hospital. She maintains strong ties with her family back in the Philippines, although she has lost her parents and tries to visit her siblings every few years.
Her reflections seem to be tinged with concern for the future of sewing as a trade. She observes that young people today are less inclined to pursue this skill. However, she remains optimistic and encourages youth to consider sewing as a viable career path, stressing its accessibility as a means of employment.
Rovelina Roshan’s story is one of hard work and achievement, embodying the spirit of entrepreneurial resilience while also highlighting broader themes regarding the value of traditional skills in today’s evolving job market.