The Naqara villagers residing in Vunidawa, Naitasiri no longer have to worry about travelling all the way to Nausori Town to buy their basic food items because the village now has its own canteen.
The story was highlighted during the Minister for Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Jiko Luveni’s visit to Naqara Village to distribute electrical sewing machines to the women group’s in Naitasiri this week .
The Naqara Women’s Group coordinator Mrs Saminimili Rakavono said the village canteen started last month and this had been possible through the assistance provided by the Department of Women.
She said it was during the minister’s visit to Naitasiri earlier this year that the women highlighted the need for a village canteen in Naqara.
“We no longer have to worry about travelling long distances to Nausori to get groceries because the group in the village has now started its own canteen. We have built the canteen but didn’t have any groceries to sell. We told the minister during one of her visits to Naitasiri early this year,” Mrs Rakavono said.
The ministry bought groceries worth $700 to start off the canteen last month.
“Managed by the Naqara Women’s Group, the canteen sells food items. Now through the money earned we are buying another stock of groceries from Nausori because the initial stock has been sold. The villagers come and buy products like tuna, canned products, cooking oil, flour, rice, peas, biscuits, snacks, soap, onions and potatoes,” Mrs Rakavono said.
The group is able to earn about $200 to $300 as revenue from the canteen.
“While some money is used to purchase groceries for second round of stock, the rest of it is shared equally among the group members for their family needs,” she said.
The start of the canteen and donation of electrical sewing machines by the Department of Women has boosted their income generation and given hope to these rural women.
“It has economically empowered the women in our village. We thank the minister for her generosity and kindness,” Mrs Rakavono said.