Located in the interior of Nadroga province, it takes over an hour from Sigatoka town to reach Waousi village. Despite its geographical location, the women of Waousi village have proven that there is no substitute for hard work.
The women of Waousi are now reaping the benefits from a poultry project they started late last year. The Ministry of Women funded this project with $4000 from government’s Women’s Plan of Action (WPA) livelihood program.
Waousi Women’s Group advisor Mr Semi Kunatani, revealed that the poultry project has proven to be a profitable income generating project for women.
“They have already harvested over 100 meat birds each sold at around $10 to $20 and have collected around $732 income from the first sales and the demand is growing. It is sold in our village, nearby villagers and also we have a boarding school here so it’s also sold to the teachers and civil servants as well,” he said.
The women, men, including children in Waousi village, he said all take ownership of this project and work together to manage it.
“Poultry project has created multiple benefits for our village, it has not only earned money for women’s but it also supplements the diet intake of some 100 school students here. This is the first poultry project for Waousi and we all work hard to ensure the birds are fed on time and looked after well,” he said.
Mrs Salome Vesikula, Waousi Women’s group leader said since this project started, it has continued to motivate the women to work hard to support their families.
“It has helped us women to get through our rainy days and money is shared among group members to support their children’s education and we buy more chicks and feeds, so the project is sustainable. We are proud of this project and we are all ready for second harvest of 150 meat birds and we are confident of similar success for this harvest,” she added.
The Ministry of Women as part of its empowerment program have established 15 poultry projects around the country last year and this year the target is 10 more poultry projects and 10 Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) Projects to financially assist the women.
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