Page 49 - IB April 2023

SPBD

“I help my Centre members by setting aside some money
in case they are not able to pay off their loans. If they really
need the help, then I will help them. I encourage them and
make sure that their businesses are running smoothly so
that they can pay off their loan(s). We meet every Monday
and if someone is going through a difficult time, they
would tell me and the group leaders, and we would resolve
their issue together,” she said.
She says SPBD has tremendously helped her and her
family. “My husband is a driver and we were able to pay for
his licence through SPBD’s support. And everything that
my family needed, SPBD and their white goods loan has
enabled me to buy products that we wouldn’t be able to
afford,” she said.

Waikete Centre Secretary, Sovia Maria
Hoping to establish a new supermarket at
Waikete village in Tailevu is South Pacific Business
Development (SPBD) member, Sovia Maria.
The 46-year-old businesswoman is currently
running a small canteen selling daily necessities such
as canned food, biscuits and the like.
“My canteen business has been going well. Yet
gaining customers is quite a challenge as many are
doing similar businesses around here. I hope to
develop my current canteen into a supermarket for my
people living in Waikete,” Maria says.
She has been an SPBD member for 11 years. “I
joined SPBD because I was certain that they would
help me improve the livelihood of my family. My
husband is a farmer and I was a stay-at-home mom
taking care of our kids at the time. But now, I run a
canteen,” she said.
Her husband, who farms cattle and root crops,
has been her motivation. “My husband is very
hardworking, tending cattle and planting dalo and
cassava, and I wanted to further support him in taking
care of our children,” she said.
As a businesswoman, Maria says learning how to
manage her finances has been the most valuable
lesson. “SPBD has taught me how to manage money
wisely by depositing my earnings at the bank regularly
and also paying off my loan when due,” she said.
Maria says SPBD has changed her life for the
better. “I’m able to run a canteen and at the same time
support my husband and school-going children. One
of my sons is in Australia taking part in the Pacific
Labour Scheme. I’m so proud of him. He has been a
great help as well”.
“Without God and SPBD, I wouldn’t have made it
this far so I’m very grateful for all the support,” she
added.
Sovia Maria

Islands Business, April 2023 49
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