WOMEN in wards 8, 9, 10, 11 of the north coast of Makira Island, plus the islands of Santa Anna and Santa Catalina, Wards 15 &16 respectively, are proud to be among their male counterparts to receive basic training on sustainable Livelihood practices which they are now putting into practice.
The Makira Sustainable Livelihoods Project implemented by World Vision Solomon Islands was designed to increase cash income and improve the food security and nutritional status of people in selected wards of Makira Ulawa Province.
The Project was funded by NZAID and World Vision New Zealand.
A recent independent evaluation revealed that the Family Financial Training (FFT) provided by the Project to rural people and in particular to Tawapuna women, has enabled them to better manage their income and has helped them to plan their expenditure resulting in more money for school and medical fees.
Tawapuna women have also benefited from the knowledge gained in relation to food processing to add value to their agricultural products. Products such as banana and cassava chips, soap and excess vegetable production have a ready market for women at the logging camps and at Waimapuru Secondary High School.
The Livelihoods Project has been a significant factor in increasing cash income which in some cases project participants estimate as being up to five to six times the levels prior to the Project.
The contribution the Project has made to the economic activity within the province, in particular within Kirakira, is significant.
While not all the increased income and economic activity can be attributed to the Project, the impact upon the productivity in the cash cropping activities associated with cocoa and copra production and processing can be attributed to the Project.
In addition, the increases in rural income from sources other than cash crops are often enjoyed by women.
According to the Chairman of Tawapuna, Joseph Haruharu, “before the Livelihood project, people in the community did not understand how they could contribute to the country’s economy but today they understand and can see themselves helping in developing this nation Solomon Islands”.
“Also in the past we didn’t really care how we spent our small rural income but after receiving the Family Financial Training, we can now manage and budget our small income,” Mr. Haruharu explained.
“On behalf of the Tawapuna women’s group I would like to thank World Vision Solomon Island for giving us such trainings as it has really changed the behaviours, attitudes and practices of people of Tawapuna Community,” a women’s representative said.
World Vision Solomon Islands is an international NGO committed to the reduction of poverty and its causes.
This project has sought to address poverty as it manifests in Makira Ulawa Province particularly the incidence of malnutrition and lack of cash income.
In addition, the participants of the program now have the knowledge to make better choices concerning household spending and can now direct more income to important health and education expenses.
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