ISOLATING OURSELVES DOES NOT WORK WITH US, SAYS NAITANUI
Despite their disabilities, a group of women in the Rewa Province work hard to make their mark.
To live full and die empty. That is the driving factor for a group of women who are living with disabilities in the Rewa Province.
This group of energetic and jovial women despite the challenges life has thrown at them are making rippling effects in the community that they come from.
They operate a water taxi business at Nadali landing, a virgin coconut oil venture and a farming business.
They were among the many vendors that took advantage of the Open Market Day, at Ratu Sukuna Park on Friday, August 7.
The Market Day was a collaboration between the Ministry of Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport, Ministry of Employment, Youth and Productivity, Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation and the National Employment Sector.
Rewa Disabled Association president, Litia Naitanui, said despite their disabilities the association works hard to make their mark. “One thing we live by is promoting inclusivity,” Ms Naitanui said.
“We do not only request for people to join us in our work, we bring our work and skills to them. We include ourselves in community work and training.
“Isolating ourselves does not work with us,” she said.
The group of women produce and sell mats, pot plants, baskets made from recycled products, jewellery, shirts and other handicraft.
Ten per cent of the money raised during platforms like the Market
Day, goes to the association, while 90 per cent goes to the members. “The motto for the Fiji Disabled People’s Federation is ‘Nothing about us, without us’,” Ms Naitanui said.
“For that, we don’t intend to keep our talents to ourselves, we travel around Fiji organising skills training to ensure that women are made aware of the income generating projects that they could benefit from.
“We continue to work hard to be independent members of the community.”