Amid the crowds and colourful food stalls at Albert Park, Litiana Ratavoka Enterprises is turning the Hibiscus Festival into an opportunity to support a family dream—raising $4,500 towards their 14-year-old granddaughter’s Grasshopper Tour to New Zealand in October.

For 62 year old Litiana Ratavoka, the Hibiscus Festival is a new beginning, as this is the first time her family has operated a stall at the event.

Ratavoka said they are helping her granddaughter to explore the world as it is important, especially at a time when young people face many social challenges. 

She said the experience has been a positive start and an opportunity to introduce their food to a wider audience while working towards their fundraising goal.

Operating under the name Litiana Ratavoka Enterprises, the family is selling authentic Fijian food and breakfast items to meet public demand.

Fourteen-year-old Grace Gaunavinaka is grateful for the support of her family and is doing her part by helping at the stall during the school holidays. 

For the Ratavoka family, the food stall is more than a source of income—it is a collective effort to invest in Grace’s future and through hard work, family support and community enterprise, they hope to turn every plate sold into another step towards her New Zealand tour.

By: Litia Rabua