Women in Vanuabalavu, Lau, should be encouraged to sell their handicrafts as an additional source of income. This follows the success of the Vanuabalavu Expo, which helped several women earn more money in just three days.
Daulako Mavoa of Boitaci Village was among those who benefited financially from the event. “Women have the skills and capabilities to thrive using their handicraft skills,” she said. “We saw many women displaying their woven baskets, mats, and other handicraft items, which helped them earn money for their families over the past three days.”
Ms. Mavoa emphasized the importance of platforms like the Vanuabalavu Expo for showcasing the talents and skills of Vanuabalavu women. She underscored the need for more training to help women enhance their handicraft skills.
“I earned more than $300 from selling coconut oil, sasa brooms, and baskets made from coconut leaves,” she shared. “We have a lot of natural resources on the island. What is needed is to train these women on how to further enhance their knowledge in handicraft skills by making use of these natural resources.”
Mrs. Mavoa, a mother of three, noted that her children, two of whom work in Viti Levu while one resides on Vanuabalavu, have been strong supporters of her participation in the expo. “They helped pay for my kalavata and other items needed to create my crafts for the Vanuabalavu Expo. I enjoyed being part of this event and meeting other women from the 17 villages of Vanuabalavu, who showcased their unique kalavata.”
The three-day Vanuabalavu Expo concluded yesterday.