Vatoa Strengthen Co-operative Capacity

A core co-operative principle is social inclusion and part of this training is to encourage active participation of women within the community as part of the membership

Twenty-six members from the Vatoa community are currently in Suva attending a training course facilitated by the Department of Co-operatives to improve their capacity in running their co-operative organisations. World Wide Fund for Nature Pacific their governance structure, current management and financial systems.

“As well provide a refresher on national Sustainable Resource Management and Development” is part of a two year project whose objective is to build resiliency and sustainable development through integrated island ecosystem management on Vatoa.

A core co-operative principle is social inclusion and part of this training is to encourage active participation of women within the community as part of the membership. Vatoa resident Wati Vakarau, 5o, said she was grateful for the opportunity.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of this training as it has taught me how to support our co-operative better and also given ideas on how I can run my own business on the island,” Ms Vakarau said.

“Having the co-operative on the island is important as it allows us to have access to goods from Suva and also encourages opportunities for us women to generate money such as the clothes myself and other women sew and sell through the cooperative. “The training has also expanded my view on the role we women play in the village, that women can play an active role in leadership not only to support the co-operative but all development projects that are brought to Vatoa Island.” Source: WWF Pacific