Page 30 - SPBD Dec 2021
P. 30

SPBD Fiji 2020                                                                                                                                                                                       SPBD Fiji 2020





                 A SALUTE TO SPBD MEMBERS


                 A Message from Lorraine Seeto


                                                              2021 has been a year of challenge and resilience
                                                                for SPBD.

                                                                  It is indeed very inspirational when we
                                                                   see the efforts of our SPBD’s work. Our
                                                                     members have difficulty borrowing from
                                                                      mainstream financial institutions so it
                                                                       is through their SPBD membership
                                                                        that they are able to obtain finance,
                                                                         be engaged in a financial literacy
                                                                          programme, have a centre manager
                                                                           from the SPBD Office visit them
                                                                            once a week, or just come to the
                                                                            SPBD Office in Waimanu Road or
                                                                             to one of its branch offices just
                                                                             for a rest!

                                                                              In fact, our SPBD members
                                                                              have kitchens that can rival
                                                                               kitchens in the city. These
                                                                               assist in a better quality of life
                                                                               and also the environment.
                                                                               No more cooking in an open
                                                                               fire after a hard day in the
                                                                               plantation.
                                                                               It is very encouraging to see
                                                                               extensions to members’
                                                                               homes to include a canteen or
                                                                               verandah so SPBD members
                                                                               can meet. We have seen them
                                                                               add on an extra bedroom
                                                                               or have the bathroom and
                                                                              kitchen within the home
                                                                              structure. And this has all
                                                                             been made possible through
                                                                             SPBD membership and access
                                                                            to SPBD’s loan scheme. The
                                                                           whole family benefits from this
                                                                           relationship with SPBD.
                                                                          Our membership and network
                                                                         has extended to include daughters,
                                                                        sisters, sisters-in-law and friends.
                                                                       Some from different localities join
                                                                     the centre to benefit from the SPBD
                                                                    programme. Husbands are now included




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