The recent floods in Nadi left devastating marks on disadvantaged communities; incurring loss of properties and personal belongings for poor families. The women from Nawaka and Navakai in Nadi who had suffered from the recent flooding, had a reason to smile yesterday after receiving donations that will provide them with a new hope to rebuild their lives.
This week the Ministery of Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation met with Fiji Muslim Women’s League (FMWL) in Nadi district yesterday to provide assistance. About 50 women from Sigatoka, Nadi, Lautoka and Ba who are members of FMWL embraced the donation of 16 electrical sewing machines, to assist with income generating projects.
Fiji Muslim Women’s League vice-president of, Mrs Julekha Mustapha said the donation is timely given that there are women who have lost their belongings and had spent days in evacuation centres and looking at ways to generate income for their families.
“The women are one of the groups who have been affected most by the recent flood. As such we had requested Minister for Women to give us the sewing machines to help us generate income and sew clothes for our families.
“These donations have come just in time to help the mothers who have lost their household items, clothes and utensils. Our appreciation goes out to government of the day for providing us with groceries, stoves, beddings, stationaries and tents. The sewing machines is another addition to government’s effort to reach out to assist the needy women,” she said.
The Minister for Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation Dr Jiko Luveni during her meeting with the women groups reminded them to be confident in looking after their families.
“Government is committed to ensuring the prosperity and well-being of the nation. These sewing machines will be a source of income and skills development to alleviate poverty. It has an evidence of multiplying effect of income generation, opportunity to exercise managerial skills and reviving women’s organization. It is a valuable economic tool for your women to have a fresh start after the devastating floods,” she said.
Mrs Mafida Ali, Sigatoka Muslim Women’s League said that, “rural women have limited source of income and the donation here along with Minister’s message has uplifted the spirit of Sigatoka women to be financially independent. Now with our own sewing machines we can utilize our skills to sew school uniforms, dresses, door mats, pillow cases and curtains,” she added.
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