Sewing hope for Nabavatu Women’s Club after years in tents

For the first time, the Nabavatu Women’s Club has received a donation since being relocated from Nabavatu Village to the Assemblies of God Church compound in Savadrua, Dreketi, Macuata, where members have been living in tents.

During the last week of October, 38 women from the club attended a sewing training organised by Soqosoqo Vakamarama Macuata.

Facilitator Jane Naulu reached out to the Rotary Club of Labasa for assistance, as the women were using borrowed sewing machines to learn how to stitch clothes.

“These women have been living in tents with their extended families after being affected by Tropical Cyclone Ana on January 31, 2021,” Ms Naulu said.

“The training sponsored by Women Fund Fiji was organised to help these women gain skills and knowledge and venture into an income generating project for their club.”

Ms Naulu thanked Rotary Club Labasa for also reaching out to Courts Fiji, which donated sewing machines. She collected three machines from Courts Mega in Labasa Town.

Nabavatu Women’s Club president Mereseini Rokoqica described the donation as an early Christmas gift.

“After completing the training, we obtained our club business license with Ms Naulu’s help. Now, with two machines from Rotary Club and one from Courts Fiji, we are in a better position to start our business,” Ms Rokoqica said.

“The women are excited and will be sewing different types of clothes to sell at the Dreketi market to generate income.”

Rotary Club Labasa president Amelia Simmons thanked her club members for supporting this women’s empowerment project.

“This is about economic empowerment for the club. They’ve been living in tents for four years and want to do something for themselves,” Ms Simmons said.

“When we learned that the women were struggling with just one sewing machine, the club recognised the need to assist immediately. Imagine how difficult it must be for everyone to complete their tasks.”