The women in the Bua province have shown great potential in becoming self-sufficient through managing income-generating projects like bee- keeping.
This was brought under the spotlight at the Bua Craft Show held last Thursday at Naulumatua grounds in Nabouwalu.
The event was officially opened by the Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Rosy Akbar. The show provided an opportunity for women’s groups in Bua to showcase their products ranging from traditional handicrafts, contemporary art and processed food items.
The women from Kavula Village in Lekutu district displayed packed pure honey which is their major source of income. They had started their bee-keeping project in 2012 with help from the Ministry of Women.
Kavula Women’s Group president Viniana Tinai described the bee-keeping project as a profitable venture.
“There are 12 ladies in our group who manage the honey project. We were assisted by the Ministry of Women in 2012 with beehives and a honey-extracting machine. The project is going well; currently we have 10 beehives and harvesting is done every three months. In one harvest we are able to make $900 and we have two major buyers, one from Suva and the Department of Co-operatives in Labasa. We produce 90 kilograms per harvest and in our recent harvest we earned $950,” Ms Tinai said.
“The income earned is evenly shared among our members; we have also opened a savings account and have saved more than $2500. We will continue to save more money this year. This project has enabled our group to work together and earn income for our families.”
She said they also made handicraft items and the upcoming Women’s Expo in October would provide them with a platform to market their products.
While opening the Bua Craft show, Minister Akbar said, “Collectively there is so much that we women can do to make a positive difference in our communities. Women need to work together and craft shows are organised for you to network and share different skills that each one of your groups have displayed here today.”
She said Government was there to help them start their own businesses and would continue to work with them.
“Women’s interest officers in Bua and Labasa will continuously be visiting you. We would like to talk things over with you on how best we can help you move forward,” she said.
Some of the major items displayed at the craft show were, mats, baskets, fans, masi (tapa), voivoi, coconut products, patchwork, home decorations, pillow cases, ornaments, coconut by products, jam, voivoi and honey.
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