Heaven of fireflies

This 24-year-old vibrant girl is having a whale of a time with the responses she has been receiving for a travel planning start-up began by her for all the lady backpackers out there. Hiba Ameena, an engineering dropout hailing from Feroke in Kozhikode, realised long ago that she would never be able to keep up with the pace of 9-5 jobs. She also knew that travelling is what keeps her on her toes.

“It was my mother Mymoon who suggested that I start a travel start-up for girls who want to explore places. This directed me to the idea of starting Fireflies, which plans getaways to wild forests, trekking and camping at scenic places,” Hiba says.  

She couldn’t think of coming with a better name for an endeavor that is dedicated to free-spirited girls, who glow radiantly once they are set free from the clutches of the system.

Stills from Wayanad trip

Hiba has successfully hosted five ladies-only trips to Wayanad, Munnar and Himachal Pradesh. “One of the happiest moments in my life was when a girl from our ladies-only trip to Wayanad thanked me for giving her a life time of memories that she hadn’t even dreamed of,” says Hiba.

Ask about the challenges she had to face since she comes from the Muslim community, Hiba says she tries not to tell people that she travels alone as it invites unpleasant gossips. “I believe I am only accountable to my single mother who is looking after me,” Hiba further adds.

She is also not hesitant to mention about the people who are ridiculously curious about her life. “Some of them even commented that I am travelling because I have ‘lustful’ feelings. They say so just because I have many male friends.” says Hiba.

A question that is constantly thrown at her is her source of income, to which she happily elaborates on her passion in scrapbook making and how she sells them on Instagram to meet the expenses.

Hiba has now rolled up her sleeves as she has partnered with her friend Shad Manedath to start a trekking campsite at Anakkampoyil in Kozhikode, offering a quintessential camping experience to all.

“My objective is not just about making money. It’s more about offering a job to the  nearby local labourers and empowering them. My campsite will be a source of both income and happiness to the labourers working there. I am looking forward for others to take this up as an inspiration and offer jobs to the locals,” Hiba concludes.