Cakaudrove Women and Youths Graduate
“This skill training will give them a pathway to earn a living, feed their families and educate their children, so this is holistically driven,” he said.
Sixty-one members of the Soqosoqo Vakamarama iTaukei Cakaudrove (SVTC) graduated as entrepreneurs after the completion of their eight-week training on ‘building entrepreneurial skills for rural women and youth’.
The training also equipped participants understanding of the international market demands and how business is conducted on that scale.
On Wednesday at the SVTC women’s hall in Savusavu, participants reaped the rewards of their eight-week dedication through the United States embassy’s economic recovery project-sponsored training.
SVTC President, Adi Salaseini Fong said it was a proud moment for their group as an important life and income-generating skill was equipped.
Ms Fong said these women and youth participants now had a responsibility of growing into this business world to support their individual households and the local economy of Cakaudrove province.
She commended the work rate and effort of the participants as they virtually attended in the training on selected days and weeks from January to November 3, this year.
The ceremony’s chief guest, US embassy Deputy Public Affairs Officer, Will Romine, said their embassy identified the need for skills and business development for Fijians to help them fight the financial constraints faced by COVID-19.
“This skill training will give them a pathway to earn a living, feed their families and educate their children, so this is holistically driven,” he said.
He said they were grateful to SVTC for pitching their request for this grant to boost capacity-building initiatives for their women.
“We appreciate the participants for giving their time, overcoming the inconsistent internet reception during the visual classes as this was an important life-sustaining skill”. Mr Romine reiterated that each participant now had a fair idea of a business idea as they had become entrepreneurs.
“With this training, you all know to build a business, grow the business, expand into new markets, basics of financial bookkeeping and knowledge on hiring employees,” he said.
He challenged the graduates on becoming problem solvers and understanding the demand of their customers and fulfilling it. Mr Romine advised participants that they had the power to transform their communities economically with products sold and encourage others to join this business landscape.
Participant shares joy
Participant, Berenadata Nunia, said the programme had gifted her a new lease of life to generate income and ensure her family was financially stable.
Mr Romine added that despite economic recovery grants not being advertised to the public, they still had a small grants programme where they vetted the proposals made throughout the year.