When Jean Uwesi, an Australia Awards graduate with a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Adelaide, returned home to Honiara’s Green Valley community, she was determined to empower local women with new skills and economic opportunities.
With funding from the Australia Awards Solomon Islands’ Alumni Support Grant initiative, Jean organised training in innovative fabric arts for over 50 women from Green Valley and surrounding areas.
These new skills empowered women to diversify their sources of income and improve their livelihoods.
For example, it equipped the participants with the fabric dyeing and screen-printing techniques to produce colourful traditional lavalava. These popular local items could then be sold to generate much needed income.
One of the beneficiaries, single mother Pricillia Bokolonga, shared how the training brought immediate benefits to herself and family.
“After the training, I was able to dye and sell my own lavalava, even sending some overseas to support my family,” Ms Bokolonga said.
Another participant, Lorelle Misi, said she had always thought fabric dyeing was too difficult.
“After this training, I know I can do it myself. I feel confident to try new things,” Ms Misi said.
The training has also created ripple effects across the community. The Green Valley Zone 3 Women’s Group began using their hand-dyed fabric as prizes in community fundraising drives, inspiring other women’s groups to adopt similar initiatives.
What started as a two-day event is already strengthening social cohesion and creating new opportunities for collaborative income generation.
Facilitated by fabric art expert John Fadama, the training combined demonstrations with practical exercises, helping women build their confidence as they experimented with new techniques.
For Ms Uwesi, the project reflects her firm belief that education and skills training are the key to women’s empowerment and community development.
“This grant gave us the chance to build capacity at the grassroots level, and I’m proud to see women stepping forward with new skills, confidence, and ideas for income generation,” Ms Uwesi said.
While challenges remain, such as access to dyeing materials, the women’s group is committed to sustaining the momentum and will continue to build on the foundations laid by the training.
The Alumni Support Grant initiative highlights Australia’s role as an active development partner in Solomon Islands, supporting women’s empowerment and grassroots economic growth.
– AHC
Photo caption: Jean Uwesi, an Australia Awards graduate with a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Adelaide, has returned home to Honiara’s Green Valley community.
