Having a hearing disability did not discourage 50-year-old Asinate Leba from enrolling for a two months skills based training course to upskill herself.

Ms Leba will join 54 other women next Thursday to graduate from Fiji Muslim League’s Makoi Women’s Vocational Training Centre with qualifications in pastry, cooking and sewing.

Ms Leba capitalises on her sewing skills to earn an income for her family of three.

Four months ago her stall burnt down at the Flea Market in Suva.

And since then she has been at home in Tacirua sewing for clients who contact her for her services.

She came to know about the Fiji Muslim League sponsored trainings through her friend who encouraged her to join.

“My friend invited me to join her when she signed up for the programme so we asked the manager if I could participate given my hearing disability and they agreed,” Ms Leba said.

“I am forever grateful to the centre for giving me the opportunity to improve my sewing skills and gain s qualification.”

She plans to re-launch her business from a newly built extension beside her home where she will now operate from.

Acknowledging the other participants in the programme, she said she did not face any problems during the training because everyone worked together as a group and helped each other to learn.

Ms Leba is encouraging women to join the programme and to open their own businesses.

Nadi resident Asilika Vaka, 24, who enrolled for the cooking programme said the centre has reignited her love for cooking and she now hopes to open her own catering business to support her parents and four younger siblings.

Ms Vaka used to work at a handicraft shop in Nadi and was laid off from her job in May due to the economic impacts of COVID-19.

She had to travel to Suva and stay with her friend in Valelevu for the two-month programme.

Manager for the Training Centre Shahista Khan said in addition to the 55 women who will graduate next week, there are 21 women who will graduate from the Caregiving course in December.

Edited by Selita Bolanavanua

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