Paulina Naturaga aims to support her husband, who has been the primary earner for their family for the last twenty years. The resident of Naivaka, Nawakasiga, Bua was one of 15 tenants from the Public Rental Board (PRB) in Simla, Lautoka, to receive a Certificate of Participation in Financial Literacy recently.
The three-day training, which was organized by the Ministry of Industry and Trade in partnership with the PRB, focused on equipping participants with essential skills for business success. Ms. Naturaga, a mother of two, shared her educational background, including her completion of Year 12 at Nadi SKM College. She previously worked at a pizza restaurant and later as a machinist at Ghimli Textiles until its closure in 2006.
With her husband working as an electrician, she expressed her desire to take on more responsibilities and contribute to their household. The training proved invaluable for her, expanding her knowledge and helping her pursue her business aspirations.
“I want to venture into skills-based businesses like fabric and tie-dye,” Ms. Naturaga stated. This training marks the first financial literacy program conducted by the PRB in the western region, with additional sessions planned for Nadi and Lautoka tenants in the near future.
Minister for Housing and Local Government Maciu Katamotu Nalumisa recognized the participants’ achievements and encouraged them to implement the knowledge gained in their daily lives. He highlighted the program’s focus on essential aspects of business management, such as financial literacy and market linkages, aimed at fostering entrepreneurial growth among micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and encouraging networking.
The comprehensive curriculum covers various topics, including marketing strategies, business culture, recordkeeping, cash flow management, pricing, and profitability.