Nanukuloa Women to Set Up Handicraft Centre
Sulueti Lotu, a 72-year-old woman, shared her advice for young women to be resourceful and use household items to generate income.
Ms Lotu was one of the 187 women artisans at the Western Division Women’s Expo at Shirley Park in Lautoka from May 3-4.
She and three other women traveled from Nanukuloa, Ra to represent the district of Saivou at the expo.
They demonstrated how to make recycled items such as necklaces, earrings, wall hangings, and pot stands from waste paper, packets of milk, tea, and cans of tuna. They also weave mats and do screen printing.
“Look around and use what’s there, do not litter because you can always use that to earn a living and if you don’t know how to go about doing this then ask for the creative ways you can generate income,” she said.
Ms Lotu said they normally sold their items in Nanukuloa and used recycled materials because it was free. She can make up to $30 in two days selling necklaces and earrings. She only sells on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Ms Lotu started making and selling earrings and necklaces from recyclable items in 2018, and her customer base has grown significantly.
The group sells pot stands made from cans of tuna, mats for $150, the necklaces and earnings for $7, $5 for the necklaces, and the wall hangings were sold at $5 while the door curtains made from shells and bamboo were sold at $50.
She also has a small business in the village where she sells snacks. She said they plan to set up a handicraft centre in Nanukuloa.
“We have submitted a proposal during the village meeting for us to set up a Nanukuloa handicraft centre to support Nanukuloa financially and to help generate income,” she said.
They will demonstrate what they learned at the Western Division Women’s Expo when they return to Nanukuloa.
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