One of the villages in a remote province in Fiji have expressed delight when the government provided them sewing machines through a donation from China, according to Fiji's Social Welfare Minister Dr. Jiko Luveni Sunday.
Luveni who visited and donated the sewing machines to villages of Naganivatu in Naitasiri province last week, told the media Sunday that she took the opportunity to inform the villages about the government's mandate and initiatives to reach out to the interior and rural communities.
According to the minister, the villagers were touched by the visit to assist the women through the sewing machines from China, saying "this is the first time for any minister to visit us and we are very happy with the sewing machines for the development of women," which will provide income for the women.
Taraivina Tamani, the women coordinator in Naganivatu village, said that"most of the time women are fishing and now these sewing machines will provide an alternative source of income. School uniforms are our first priority and with these machines we will save money to make our own clothes."
Local media praised that it is through the strong bilateral ties between Fiji and China that have resulted in timely assistance that empowered local women with income generating programs.
The growing bond between the two countries saw the arrival of the All China Women's Federation (ACWF) Vice President Meng Xiaosi in April 2010 to officially hand over 700 sewing machines to the Fiji Women's Federation (FWF). In total Fiji has received 1,500 sewing machines from China for the financial empowerment of women.
Luveni said they would fulfill the ministry's target of providing at least two sewing machines to each village in Fiji in a bid to boost the financial earnings of rural women.