Page 39 - Islands Business March 2023

SPBD

SPBD PROFILE: Polly Kelekis

Polly Kelekis joined SPBD in 2011, initially concentrating on
the Micro Dreams Foundation, which raises funds for relief
and recovery efforts, and supports SPBD’s growth in different
markets.
She quickly became involved in operational matters at
SPBD, eventually becoming Chief Operating Officer.
“We’re such a small team, and we wear lots of different
hats,” she says of SPBD’s head operations. “It was a very
seamless transition to the role, working very closely with
[SPBD founder and President] Greg Casagrande helping to
define the strategic priorities of the organisation.”
Kelekis sees microfinance as a way of marrying her interests
in finance/business and international development. She al-
ready had six years’ experience in microfinance before joining
SPBD, and remembers when she first heard about the sector Polly (left) talks to SPBD member, Milika Rokomada at the Nausori market.
from a friend.
“It just sounded perfect. I get to go do international work, wake up and work really hard to help the teams and the
but I’m helping women entrepreneurs to run their businesses, women. That’s what it’s all about.”
so I can use my business skills as well. It has really been the While Kelekis has worked with a much larger, global microfi-
type of job where it’s very meaningful. You wake up every nance provider, she says the SPBD model has been specifically
day and know you are doing this because the members are developed to be relevant to the South Pacific, ensuring its
working really hard to improve their lives. So I’m going to sustainability.
MEMBER PROFILE: Beda Anjali

Nabouwalu 2 Centre Chief, Beda Anjali, is a vibrant and Anjali’s entrepreneurial
dedicated woman who owns a restaurant located right next to mindset and dedication has
the Nabouwalu port. also earned her the Centre
The owner of ‘Nabouwalu Seaside Tasty Halal Restaurant Chief position at Nabouwalu
Enterprise’ exudes a friendly and humorous personality that Station 2, a role she says is
immediately puts her guests at ease. challenging but rewarding.
“I have always dreamed of owning a restaurant,” she says. “I “When I was elected to
told myself that no matter how, I would operate a restaurant.” be the Centre Chief, my
The business is a far cry from her old role in Labasa, where role was to look after the
she used to be a bailiff clerk. members and keep our
However when she married 18 years ago and moved to centre in a good condition.
Nabouwalu, her path changed. When members take out
“It was a struggle, but I used to do vegetable farming and sell loans, the payment to SPBD
them,” Anjali said. should be on time.”
“I just started operating this restaurant a month ago, and it She says loan procedures
feels really good; I enjoy it,” she said when we interviewed her are simple, and if
late last year. applications are successful,
The restaurant was previously owned by her father-in-law , funds are received in just two-to-three weeks.
but had closed down. Anjali has revived it at the same spot as The mother of two has already started inspiring her
the original business, which is popular with people getting on daughters to have an entrepreneurial mindset. “When they
and off vessels at the wharf. come down from Labasa on school breaks, they are managing
Anjali has been a member of SPBD since 2016 and says it the restaurant, and my elder one manages the finances,” Anjali
helped her with her new venture. said.
“I always go after the loan from SPBD so that I can kick off my As she looks towards the future with the support of her
business, or when I’m stuck somewhere, I can take out a loan children and husband, three words spring to her mind:
and run my business,” she said. ‘empowering other women’.
She has also tapped into training offered to members, and “I would also like to empower women wherever I go, just as I
says it has been very useful. was empowered, I want to empower others.”

Islands Business, March 2023 39
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