From losing her parents to starting her own business – nothing is going to stop Bibi Mohamed

Bibi Rafeena Mohamed’s story mirrors the struggles of a woman looking for her purpose in this world. Her struggles also portray a woman who is trying to shape her destiny. This 23-year-old woman is a living example of making the proverbial lemonade with the lemons that life has been consistently throwing at her. 

Bibi Rafeena Mohamed

Bibi was born on the 2nd of May, 1997, at the West Demerara Regional Hospital to Akila and Nazar Mohamed. She grew up in Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara (WCD), with her two siblings.  Her dad, Nazar, worked at a sawmill to put food on the table but was laid off. He later began working at the National Parks Commission (NPC). 

We actually came from a very poor family, though I didn’t feel it as much as my siblings did. They told me of the hardships they and my parents went through bringing us up.

She attended the Vreed-en-Hoop Primary School, and after writing the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA), she was awarded a spot at the Uitvlugt Secondary School. But her mother did not want to send her to that school. As such, she was later transferred to the Professional Education located in Pouderoyen.  

I got bullied by a few kids from my class, mostly the boys, because I was “fat.” I remember this one boy in my class always telling me I need to go order Jenny Craig so I can stop getting fat and the kids making fun of me because I have “big eyes.” I always ignored their harsh words and went along with my school life.

While in Form 4, her parents made the decision to transfer her once more to a private school. 

I started the school at the beginning of fourth form, and it was a tough ride. I was the new girl, and it seemed as though everyone wanted to eat me alive, I was quiet, shy, and I barely had friends. It was hard to get acquainted with everything, but I tried. I did pretty well in school, except that Math and Accounts were my weak spots. I loved English, though.

Bibi recounted one time in high school when a few girls went into her bag and tore her English book in half.  Nevertheless, she wrote the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination in 2014 and attended computer classes right after. At the end of her computer classes, her mother got extremely ill and was admitted into a hospital. 

“About a week after, she passed away. This was very new to me because I never experienced something like this before. At the age of 17, I learnt how to cook, clean, and even make up my own bed because my mom did everything.”

Bibi added, “I did not get a chance to work or further my studies anymore as I was the woman of the house now. Back then, I was upset about it. In fact, I was jealous because other young people were going out, working, studying and I was here cooking and just doing what my mom was supposed to do.”

Following her mother’s passing, her dad stepped up his responsibility to ensure that everyone was okay. 

My siblings played a big part in this as I never felt alone. My father, oh boy, he meant everything to me. I couldn’t spend a day out of the house without him. We were BFFs.

In July of 2020, Bibi’s life took another turn for the worst. This time, it was her father. Her dad was diagnosed with stage four liver cancer. 

My dad spent most of his days (a month) in a private hospital; visiting him every day was heartbreaking to my brother, and I put up so many brave faces in front of our father, but inside it was eating us up knowing he was deteriorating by the minute.

According to Bibi, the hospital became her home, and the pain of not being able to help her dad grew big. However, in August, her father passed away. 

I no longer had my mom, my dad, my friend for the first time in my life. I came to know what depression feels like. Thankfully, I had my siblings, their spouses, and other family members there for me, especially my brother, who has tried so much to help me get through all of this.

As her life went downhill, her sister-in-law encouraged her to start studying. Bibi said that she was skeptical at first because she never had a job or any formal qualification. 

She, however, came across a Facebook post from Computer World offering courses in the medical field. She immediately tapped into the opportunity and pursued the Pharmacy Technician course. 

But it was just a distraction from my dad’s death, also hoping in the future I can help someone just as I wish I could’ve helped my dad. Each day I felt different, some days, I was happy, or I tried to be. I love to smile, and even though some days I may be sad, I still managed to get a smile in.

Bibi relayed that one night she was in bed and had a vision of starting up a business given that she loves craft. Her sister-in-law also encouraged her to give it a try, and she launched her business, “Boxes & Bundles.” 

It was created on October 28, 2020. The business gave me something else to do other than being depressed, it took my mind off of my father, and it taught me to get in on my artistic side.

The young businesswoman said that she originally wanted to make resin keychains and resin arts, but it was expensive, so she decided to start small and create “cute and cozy gifts.”  

I originally created two items: A spa in a jar as a gift idea and a mason jar snow globes for Christmas. I got a lot of support from family and a few close friends. A few people I am acquainted with tried supporting me but never came to uplift their stuff, but my family members came in to save the day and bought the items.

Summing up all that has happened, this budding entrepreneur said that she never imagined that her life would have turned out this way despite her dark days. 

“If you feel nothing is going your way if you’ve lost a loved one and you want to give up like I wanted to, just know that “whatever trials and tribulations Allah SWT (God) are putting us through, he is preparing us for better days ahead” this was told to me by my brother the night the doctor told us we have to be prepared for my dad’s death.”

She added, “Take it from someone who has faced the darkest of days. You will get through your situation, at the end of every dark tunnel, there is light, and don’t forget God. Whatever religion you belong to, pray, talk to God. Trust me; he’s listening. Pray to him and see how better your days get, and remember to always stay humble and honest as the humblest people are always the happiest and most content.”

Bibi hopes to get married with children and to become a certified Pharmacy Technician. Her biggest aspiration is to become a nurse.

Contact Information for Bibi Rafeena Mohamed 

• Facebook Page: Boxes & Bundles
• Instagram: Boxes & Bundles
• Telephone #: +592- 648 – 4641