Page 52 - Islands Business May-June 2022

SPBD SPBD SPBD

She says while the group would benefit from some literacy
training, “The thing is, we’ve managed. We’ve managed to help them
maintain their business and manage their sales. For me personally,
saving was one thing that I didn’t do much of when I was working.
“We are thankful to SBPD for teaching us how to save money.
When you get your money, you think twice about spending it.”
She believes SPBD has made the community stronger.
“It has brought families together. When we first started, the men in
our families would say, ‘this is a lot of money to pay’. So, we started
educating them, letting them know that in the long run, you will see,
and they give us their 100% support. Whenever we have functions
in the community, they will be there. For me personally, it’s just
watching the ladies grow, in terms of what they already have. To me,
that’s the rewarding part of it.”

Siteri Waqaicelua

Uciwai-Momi Centre Chief, Siteri Waqaicelua
Siteri Waqaicelua helped bring SPBD to her community after she
moved to Uciwai after leaving her job as the secretary to the former
CEO of Fiji Airports Limited.
She was motivated to get SPBD’s assistance after seeing the living
conditions of some people in the sugarcane farming settlement.
“When I went to church one day, my name was called out to do
Sunday visiting. I walked into these homes and then I felt so bad – my
heart hurts to see the condition of living that we have.
“I started asking around where I can get some support to Karalaini Tulou
help the ladies and then I ended up with SPBD. A friend of mine
recommended SPBD to me.” Vatukarasa Centre Chief, Karalaini Tulou
After visiting SPBD’s Sigatoka branch, she called a meeting. Vatukarasa Centre Chief, Karalaini Tulou says joining SPBD means
“On the day we started, one of the lady’s husband is a taxi driver she has money in her purse and can decide what she does with her
was sitting there listening and then he asked, ‘Can the men join earnings without having to ask anyone.
SPBD?’ I said ‘No, this is for the ladies’ and then he said ‘Okay, if you She encourages other women to join SPBD, saying the
all agree today to join this organisation, I’ll pay for your registration membership helps her earn money to meet her traditional
fees.’ He paid for that because he could see the value. He was obligations and to save for the future.
listening and he was moved.“ Tulou moved to the village after her husband retired from his civil
Now the Centre’s 15 members’ businesses include cupboard service job in Suva. However, she had heard about SPBD during
canteens, mat weaving, fishing and crabbing. trips home before that and travelled from Suva to Vatukarasa for six
“As for me, I have a canteen. There are three things that I do which weeks for SPBD training.
are handicraft, screen printing and baking, even flower arrangement. “My business is in catering particularly for office meetings. I chose
Through SPBD, it has helped to draw out my talents that I didn’t catering because I love baking. I bake in the morning and [then sell]
know exist within myself.” on the roadside,” she says.
She says the Centre has grown significantly. Tulou is now catering for workers involved in road construction
“Ladies have built new homes. Right now, two ladies are building close to the Centre, with a contract that will last for two years.
their homes – from a Fijian bure to a two-bedroom house. There’s She admits that while COVID-19 was challenging, the Centre’s 14
a lady who just got a $7,000 loan from SPBD a month ago. She’s members did what they could to make repayments, continuing to
extending her home. It’s a rewarding experience. It motivates me. I sell food and sewn products.
pushed myself to do those things. For me, it’s just serving them.” “My daughter is studying two majors at the University of the South

52 Islands Business, May-June 2022