MORE than 40 women from Macuata district gathered at Bulileka Village to learn small-scale business skills by building a kitchen.
A report in The Fiji Times on May 16, 1986, said the week-long course taught women how to construct a simple kitchen and furnish it with locally made materials. The project was sponsored by the International Labour Organization, which contributed $400.
The course was conducted by government workers Salanieta Rika and Nacanieli Lutu and participants came from Sasa, Labasa, Dogotuki, Namuka, Nadogo and Udu districts.
Ms Rika said the women adapted the building materials during the course.
“Initially, the women were supposed to use bamboo to build the walls of the kitchen, but since the village had some timber, we decided to use it instead,” she shared.
They were also taught to build their own smokeless stoves and sinks.
She said the kitchen would make daily life easier.
“This project benefit the women because when the menfolk come home late at night after a yaqona session, they do not have to disturb the women to heat the food.”
She said the skills could also support income-earning.
“The women would make things like jam and cakes to sell in a small business operation.”
