Solar freezers change lives for Macuata women

Women of Delaivada village on Druadrua Island in Macuata are saving up to $50 a week following the installation of solar freezers in their community, a development they say is transforming daily life.

Sigavou Women’s Cooperative leader Paulini Dulena said the initiative had reduced the need for costly and time-consuming trips to Labasa to purchase frozen food.

“This support will really help us, especially as we will no longer have to travel all the way to Labasa just to buy frozen food,” Ms Dulena said.

She said the cooperative now plans to expand its small business by purchasing fish daily from local fishers, storing them safely and selling them later at nearby markets.

“Having these solar freezers here means we can save money every week, spend more time with our families and focus on improving our livelihoods,” she said.

Ms Dulena said the project had brought renewed hope to the women in the village.

“We can now support our fishers and confidently sell our products. It opens up new opportunities for us as women,” she said.

The solar freezer project was officially handed over yesterday by the Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, Mosese Bulitavu.

Mr Bulitavu said the initiative would improve household savings, food security and income-generating opportunities for women on the island.

“What was once spent on weekly travel costs can now be redirected towards education, health and other family needs,” he said.

The project was funded under the ministry’s Self-Help Programme at a cost of more than $26,000.

Mr Bulitavu commended the Sigavou Women’s Group for its unity and leadership, urging members to manage the facility responsibly to ensure long-term benefits.

“This investment is not just about infrastructure. It is about empowering women, strengthening resilience and improving the quality of life for families in Delaivada,” he said.

The women’s group also received additional esky freezers from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Pacific and the Department of Cooperative to further support their business operations.