It is amazing how you can transform what is considered as leftover material into something alluring, says Alumeci Vakayarovosa.

Holding up a neatly-weaved vase, Ms Vakayarovosa of Taveuni said she made them from pandanus leaves which were leftovers from other mat weavers.

“After they weave a mat, these are usually burnt or thrown into the dump,” Ms Vakayarovosa said.

“I usually collect these and make artefacts like this vase. This is something that I love to do from a young age and now I am able to earn and support my family.”

She was a part of the Keitou Qori Women’s group from the Garden Island who with about 200 women from the province converged at the Savusavu foreshore last Friday for the Cakaudrove women’s craft show.

In an interview with the Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Mereseini Vuniwaqa who was the chief guest at the show said women have been urged to use local raw local materials to make their crafts.

Ms Vuniwaqa has applauded the rural women for aligning themselves with the Government’s aim for sustainable ecosystems.

“You see there is an emphasis on local raw material, materials they can find around them and some of these products are made from waste materials which is eco-friendly,” Ms Vuniwaqa said.

“We are moving into a green society, sustainable growth and all this.

“So the work of these women in using these raw material and waste materials, they are doing their bit in contributing to our Governments aim in relation to environmental relief development.”