Paulina Naturaga aims to support her husband, who has been the family’s primary provider for the last twenty years. The resident of Naivaka, Nawakasiga, in Bua was one of 15 tenants from the Public Rental Board (PRB) in Simla, Lautoka, who recently graduated with a Certificate of Participation in Financial Literacy.
The three-day training was organized by the Ministry of Industry and Trade in partnership with the PRB. Ms. Naturaga, a mother of two, shared her ambitions, reflecting on her completion of Year 12 at Nadi SKM College. She initially worked at a pizza eatery before becoming a machinist at Ghimli Textiles until the company closed in 2006.
Desiring to lighten her husband’s load as an electrician, she hopes to take on additional responsibilities. She noted that the training series aimed to provide aspiring entrepreneurs and current business owners with essential knowledge and skills to succeed in the competitive market.
“This study has been very useful for me as it has expanded my knowledge pertinent to my business goals,” stated Ms. Naturaga. “I want to explore skills-based ventures such as fabric and tie-dye.”
This training marks the first financial literacy program for PRB tenants in the western region, with more sessions scheduled for Nadi and Lautoka tenants in the upcoming months. Minister for Housing and Local Government Maciu Katamotu Nalumisa praised the participants and urged them to implement what they learned in their everyday lives.
“The training offers vital insights into business management, financial literacy, and market connections, which are intended to foster entrepreneurial growth among micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and create networking opportunities,” Mr. Nalumisa explained. He added that the curriculum encompasses a broad range of topics such as marketing plans, business culture, recordkeeping, cash flow management, and pricing strategies.