Thirty-three women of Na­votua, Naisisili, Malakati and Nacula received their skills training certificate from the Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Mereseini Vuniwaqa, yesterday.

The recipients underwent a two-and-a-half day skills training course organised by the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation.

Vuaki Village Women’s group team leader Iowana Qorowale said the women learned a lot from their course.

“For some it was used to sharpen their skills, while others learned new things,” she said.

“All in all it was not only benefi­cial for us, but moreso necessary because having this accreditation recognised by our Government carries a lot of weight.”

Ms Qorowale said this was some­thing they always wanted and they thanked the Government for providing it for them.

“Now to see all these creative arts on display is something to re­ally marvel at because taking up these courses really added to the natural skills they already have,” she said.

“In a sense it helped them in tap­ping into new innovative methods, sort of enhances their creativity.

“Because the women here, nor­mally use the natural resources and design it for tourist souvenirs but with these new methods we can design a lot of newer creative designs, plus to top it off all of our products are handmade.”

Ms Qorowale said they empha­sised doing things by natural means.

“So everything produced by us and sold to the hotels are hand­made and created from our natu­ral resources that we get from our forests and our shorelines.”

The women displayed their prod­ucts which Ms Vuniwaqa had a chance to view and marvel at dur­ing her tour of the Nacula Village Women’s handicraft market in Ya­sawa, on Monday.

Edited by Epineri Vula

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