Seeing members of her church community earn money from selling simple homemade products at the Methodist Church conference has inspired Virisila Marulevu to consider starting her own small business in Dreketi.
Marulevu, who is originally from Dreketi in Macuata and currently lives in Nadi, is helping youths from the Dreketi Division run their stall at the Methodist Church Annual Conference.
The group is selling handmade mats, Fijian fans, brooms, coconut oil and refreshments, while also providing lunch during the conference.
Marulevu says she has been impressed by what the group has been able to earn from selling their products in just two days.
She says the experience has shown her that there are opportunities to earn an income, by using the skills and resources people already have.
Marulevu says she is now considering starting a small business of her own when she returns to Dreketi and hopes to make use of the opportunities available there.
She says she attended the Methodist Church conference when she was younger, and returning as an adult has allowed her to see the gathering from a different perspective.
Marulevu says she initially came to Suva to support members of her division, after seeing the effort youths and church members had put into preparing for the conference.
She says members worked hard to raise funds before travelling to Suva, which encouraged her to come and help with their stall.
Marulevu says lay pastors and other church leaders from the division are also supporting the initiative.
She says the experience has shown her what can be achieved when people work together and make use of the skills and resources available within their communities.
