Widow Rachel starts security firm

By ELIAS LARI
MOTHER-of-10 Rachel Sapsi, a district health officer in Mendi, decided to invest her salary into a business not too many women will think of venturing into – a security firm.
Rachel is the sole breadwinner in her family. She asked her late husband Willie, who was not employed, to set up the business in 2017.
She named it the Rachel and Sons Security Limited.
“I have 10 children in school to look after. My late husband was not working. So I decided to invest my salary in something which will benefit us.
“I firmly believe in myself that I will make it through even without my husband now because where there is a will there is a way. I am focusing in that direction.”
Rachael works as a district health officer in the Mendi- Munhiu electorate of Southern Highlands.
She is from Was village in the Karinz local level government in Mendi. Her late husband Willie was from Upper Mendi.
In 2016, Rachael tried her hand in business by operating a small coffee shop in Mendi town. But it did not work out as she expected.
She decided to start a security firm, even though not too women would ever think of venturing into this male-dominated area.
Today Rachel is watching it grow, employing more people as it extends its services to the business community in Mendi.
District assistant community development officer Isaac Teveko describes Rcahel as hardworking and committed.
Teveko provides technical advice and support to her to make the business a success so that more women will follow her example.
“Women can operate a security firm and this can become a challenge for women to try out.”

“  I firmly believe in myself that I will make it through even without my late husband because where there is a will there is a way.”

Teveko is aware of many widows who have to rely on their late husbands’ relatives for support because they are afraid to, unlike Rachel, try things out themselves and stand on their own two feet.
Teveko hopes that the example set by Rachel will motivate single mothers and widows to believe in themselves and do something for themselves and their children.
“It all depends on how you think and plan your life.”
Rachel is glad that she took the risk to earn extra income for her family and subsequently employ people to support their families too.
She believes that everything will work out for a person who is prepared to work to achieve something.
As a public servant, Rachel knows she has loans with the bank and her salary alone is not enough to look after her 10 children.
Most importantly, she believes in success and has faith in God that He will help those who are honest and help themselves.
“With the grace of God, I’m expanding our service to business houses in Mendi and create more jobs.”
She urges single mothers and widows not to look down on themselves but to aim high and have a positive mental attitude.
“I also believe that many public servants are living a borrowed life but they can make a change if look at the positive side of things.”
Rachael is leading the way.