Paulina Naturaga is eager to assist her husband, who has been the family’s primary income earner for the last twenty years. The resident of Naivaka, Nawakasiga, Bua, was one of 15 tenants from Simla, Lautoka, who recently graduated with a Certificate of Participation in Financial Literacy.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade, in partnership with the Public Rental Board (PRB), conducted a three-day training program aimed at enhancing financial knowledge and skills for current and aspiring entrepreneurs.
Ms. Naturaga, a mother of two who completed Year 12 at Nadi SKM College, previously worked at a pizza restaurant and later as a machinist at Ghimli Textiles until the factory closed in 2006. With her husband working as an electrician, she is motivated to take on additional responsibilities to support the family.
“This training has been incredibly useful and has expanded my knowledge for my business goals,” Ms. Naturaga stated. She expressed her desire to explore entrepreneurship in skills-based areas like fabric and tie-dye.
This event marked the first financial literacy training organized for the PRB estate in the western region, with more sessions set to take place for tenants in Nadi and Lautoka in the future.
Minister for Housing and Local Government, Maciu Katamotu Nalumisa, praised the graduates and encouraged them to implement their newfound knowledge in everyday scenarios. He remarked, “The training offers critical insights into business management, financial literacy, and market connections, aiming to foster entrepreneurial development among micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and establish networking opportunities.”
The curriculum included various important topics such as marketing strategies, business culture, recordkeeping, cash flow management, pricing, profit, among others.