 |
 |
 |
  |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Japanese slippers may have been in demand in Japan last summer but should a Japanese volunteer’s effort to teach locals how to make them proves successful, Fiji could very well see the development of the fashion trend here. Miwa Shibata, a Japanese International Cooperation Agency volunteer based at the Ministry of Youth and Sports’ National Youth Training Centre in Sigatoka has successfully taught the skill of making Japanese slippers to female trainees at the centre. Miwa who coordinates the multi-skills training programme at the NYTC said the students initially found it difficult to make the Japanese slippers. “But the slippers are pair, so when they started the other side, they seemed to get used to making it,” Miwa said. “It took about one to two days for the students to complete them.” “As a Japanese, I would rate the quality of the slippers at 50 to 70 per cent.” “I suppose we have to improve the quality more to sell them to Japanese people here.” She said it was possible that Japanese people living in Fiji could be interested in buying these because it was a summer fashion trend in Japan. She said the trainees who also learn sewing, catering, screen printing, weaving, flower arrangements and jewelry making would hold their annual sales galore this Friday at the NYTC. “The Annual Sales Galore will feature items that the trainers made and will be carried here in NYTC, Nasau, Sigatoka and will begin from 10.30am till 3pm.” “Every item will be on special price including voivoi baskets, bula shirts, jewelry and even mats,” Miwa said. Miwa has even gotten the trainees to screen print t-shirts for a clean up in Suva by JICA volunteers this Saturday. “The trainees are trying hard to acquire the skills in order to start small business when they return to their villages at the end of their training.” “I hope we can support and give them a chance to sell their own products now and even after they leave here,” Miwa said. -Ends- No:1466 |
|
|
 |
     |
