Page 48 - IB April 2022

SPBD SPBD SPBD

VOICES FROM OVALAU

MEET SOME OF SPBD’S OVALAU AND MOTURIKI MEMBERS

Lusiana from Buca village has been an SPBD member for my life a lot. I took a loan to build my house, extend my
two years. She sells suki (tobacco) and mobile phone recharge house and we buy goods. I’m very happy. [I bought] my oven,
cards, and kava which she buys from her son. washing machine, and a lot of things I got with SPBD.” Kesa
Lusiana says her SPBD membership has helped her family, is pleased she will no longer need to travel to Nausori and
and that she has learnt a lot about saving in particular. She Suva on SPBD business. “If we want to discuss something or
says while this was a bit difficult at the start, she now knows know something, we can just take it to the branch in Levuka.
how to use her money properly and wisely. “We have to be I think it will be helpful and convenient.” She is keen to build
very patient,” Lusiana advises. “Join SPBD because it’s good, a roadside shed so she can sell mats and voivoi, as well as
it helped us a lot in business and management.” vegetables, to passers-by.

Tinai is from Dawasamu, Tailevu and is married into Kelera buys raw kava, dries it and sells it in Levuka town.
Rukuruku, where she is Centre Chief. She joined SPBD “to “I’ve been with SPBD... maybe 8 years,” she says. “This is my
support my family,” initially taking a loan of $3,000. During eighth loan. I use it to buy kava.” Kelera says joining SPBD
her time with SPBD, Tinai has bought kitchen equipment and has opened up many opportunities. “I started refurbishing
school bags for her children. “Having a SPBD branch in Levuka my home, even my children’s education and my business
will make it very easy for us. I thank SPBD for allowing this to has [improved] from one level to another. I used to run
happen.” Tinai has big ambitions for herself and her family. “I my business with $500 but with the SPBD loan, I receive
would like my children to complete their education, build a thousands to improve my business.”
big house, and show the village how SPBD has supported me. Her advice to women? “Don’t give up their hopes and keep
My family supports me very well [in running the business].” trying. One day, you will reach what you have dreamed of.
Sometimes, we face a lot of troubles, but we need to keep
our hopes up because we are women. One day, you will
achieve your goal if you’re true to it.”
Lavinia Fane was born and brought up in Ovalau. She has six
grown-up children and has been with SPBD for two years. “I’m
very thankful and I’m honoured to be part of this organisation
because I’m slowly progressing in my business. Before, I used Ema from Nairai village has been with SPBD for three years.
to sell from my kitchen, but the very first year I joined, I She sells grog (kava), and cakes and pies she bakes, mainly to
took the loan. And one of the reasons why I’m happy about fellow villagers. “SPBD has been helping me with repaying my
the organisation is, I don’t have to run around like with the loans, and also assist in supporting my school children with
banks.” Lavinia says she has been able to build a wooden stationery, and whatever else they need for school.
canteen with her SPBD loan, and with the money left over, “Our home was damaged by Cyclone Winston. We had to
bought groceries to stock the store. She’s now repaying that buy the lino, cement and for me, it was a really big help. I
loan. “I’m going slowly, and I’m planning to ask for another really appreciate joining SPBD because they have helped me a
loan to put more stock in my canteen, so that it can boost lot to look after my family.”
my business.” She says her biggest lesson has been not to be She advises other SPBD members, or those thinking of
afraid of loans or asking for money. “The main thing I have to joining, to involve the whole family. “You need support from
bear in mind, when you loan, you put it where it’s supposed your family especially from your husband and children so that
to go.” they can help you in repaying your loan because the benefit
of the loan is for the entire family. It’s not only for us, the
women. It’s for everybody in the family. It’s good to ask for
help and support from your husband and your family members
Kesa from Gau, but living on Ovalau, makes her living by to support you in whatever you do.”
farming cabbage, tomatoes, eggplant and other produce,
which she then sells in Levuka town. She was formerly the
caretaker at Rukuruku resort. “Being part of SPBD is changing

48 Islands Business, April 2022