For Mere Tupou, participating for the very first time at last week’s National Women’s Expo with her mother, Lanieta Bale, has been a fulfilling experience.
Watching how her mother’s skill has successfully provided for her sibling and family has been one of the driving factors in following her mother’s footsteps.
“With her weaving she was able to send us to school, even to tertiary,” she said.
“She was able to pay for our school fees and even until now while she’s staying with my family, she helps out with our daily living at home, with food and bills.”
Ms Tupou also shared her experience of learning how to weave from her mother.
“From my point of view and from staying with her, if I don’t learn it, there would not be any other places to learn from,” she said.
“The best place to learn this is by staying with her.”
She said featuring in the national event had been a pleasant experience and how the pandemic period strengthened her knowledge in weaving.
“It is a very good experience, I graduated with certificates from Fiji National University but during covid, I stayed home, and that was the time I learned the craft from her.”
Her mother participated in the recent expo held in Nausori and was a recipient of four prizes from her handicraft products which included a woven clutch purse and meeting bags.
Ms Bale has been weaving for about 20 years.
Ms Tupou said they had begun selling their woven products online, they also participate in the Vuda Beach market — a monthly event which promotes and supports local vendors.
They also send products to the Mariott Fiji Resort after every second month.
“That’s the only two places where we sell our items.”
