Mustafa Finds Confidence and a New Life After Loss

For Zulekha Mustafa, life as she knew it ended when her husband of over 40 years passed away. In her mid-60s, she found herself overwhelmed with grief, struggling to navigate a world that her husband had always managed for her. Even simple tasks—like using an ATM—felt impossible. For almost a year, she isolated herself, trapped in mourning, unsure of how to move forward.
That all changed when she saw an advertisement for the Confident Women Program, an initiative by Lifebread Stay Connected Foundation through Almanah Home. The program, supported by Women’s Fund Fiji (WFF), is designed to empower women facing hardships—providing them with the skills, confidence, and opportunities to rebuild their lives.

At first, Zulekha hesitated. Even attending the program felt overwhelming. “I was about to cry when I was asked if I was ready to join,” she recalled. “I kept quiet for a while, and then I finally said, ‘I’m ready.’”

She was not alone. Through the Confident Women Program, many other women like her were finding strength, learning new skills, and rediscovering their independence. For two weeks, Zulekha trained alongside 18 women, and step by step, she began reclaiming her life.
One of the most visible transformations was her appearance. Since her husband’s passing, she had only worn black and white—a symbol of mourning. But through the encouragement of the program, she found the confidence to embrace change, slowly introducing lighter colors into her wardrobe. It was more than just a fashion choice—it was a sign of her healing and newfound strength.
Beyond her personal transformation, the program also ignited her entrepreneurial spirit. With support from Femlink Pacific, where she had previously worked as a rural correspondent, she secured funding and launched her own tie and dye business. Encouraged by her son, she took another bold step—returning to university to study hydroponics.

Today, she successfully grows and sells vegetables, proving that it’s never too late to learn, grow, and achieve financial independence. “I relied on my husband for everything,” she said. “Even banking—he did it all for me. I never used an ATM in my life. But now, I know I can do things for myself.”

Zulekha’s transformation extends beyond her career. When the Women’s Fund Fiji team visited her, she had just returned from the hospital—not due to illness, but because she had twisted her foot playing soccer in an annual women’s tournament. It was a powerful symbol of how far she had come—from isolation and grief to an active, confident woman embracing life again. Her story is just one of many. The Confident Women Program has changed the lives of numerous women, offering them a lifeline of empowerment and resilience. With the support of Women’s Fund Fiji, the program continues to provide women with the tools they need to regain their confidence, build their futures, and thrive.

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