A new government project for Vunimoli settlement in Tamavua-i-Wai, Suva has been welcomed by the women living there.
The new women’s project, a canteen, was funded by the Ministry of Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation and is called the “Kaleli Women’s Canteen.” The project is designed to provide an income for the 40 women who belong to the Kaleli Women’s Group.
In opening the new canteen project this morning, the Minister for Social Welfare Dr Jiko Luveni presented groceries worth $2000 to the Women’s Group
The Ministry in partnership with Westpac Banking Corporation will also provide financial literacy training for the Vunimoli women. This project has emanated through women’s Advisory Committee to the Minister for Women; a special committee dedicated to the empowerment of women in Fiji.
The Minister said the new project would promote the economic empowerment of women and improve their lives in Vunimoli.
“The Ministry is glad to respond to the request of this group by helping them to establish this new canteen project. It is a great incentive for them to work together, use their time wisely and develop new skills to become financially independent. Apart from earning daily income through selling the basic food items the members will also receive bonus at the end of every six months.
“Projects such as this are instrumental in alleviating poverty in informal and squatter settlements. With an increasedbudget of $1.3 million, my Ministry has been able to assist more than 1702 women’s groups in Fiji. The Kaleli Women’s Group is encouraged to use this new project to create positive changes in their communities,” Dr Luveni said.
Representing the Kaleli Women’s group, their president, Mrs Miriama Ledua Yasi commended the Bainimarama government for being the first to initiate this project.
“There are around 300 people living in this settlement and women are backbone of their families, most of them do domestic duties. Most of these women were left to depend on their husbands, but when we formed our women’s group this year, we were determined to earn income for our families.
“We are proud that through a swift response from Dr Luveni’s office, this project has come to reality and will help women to earn income. The women and children in Vunimoli settlement no longer have to worry about walking all the way to the service station to buy food items.
“We are inspired by this new project opened in our community, as I said it is the first time for us to meet a women leader who is so enthusiastic and adamant to assist us and has shown faith in our abilities to earn income for our families,” Mrs Yasi said.
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