Unemployed women of Lami sell hand made items to make ends meet

Unemployed women from struggling families, including single mothers living between Veisari and Veivatuloa, were selling hand made items at the Lami District Council of Social Services family fun day, to make ends meet.

The fun day was organised by the DCOSS Lami, which falls under the Fiji Council of Social Services.

The leader of Veilomani Women’s Club, Maraia Silofaga, who is also a student at the Solo Mums Project with International Needs Fiji says, some iTaukei families neglect single mothers, so they have to do everything themselves.

Silofaga says International Needs Fiji has a 20 week project to help recognise the potential and hidden talent of these women.

She says this is their sixth week and they are going through counselling sessions.

Silofaga further says she was employed by Flour Mills of Fiji as an oven operator, but due to COVID-19 protocols, she lost her job.

A group of single mothers who are part of the Solo Mums’ Project were also showcasing their talents.

Jewellery, food items, mats, a variety of clothes and many more items were on sale.

Lami DCOSS Coordinating Committee Member Losana Tuituidaku says their nine member committee, who are all unemployed had organised the biggest family fun day yesterday.

Tuituidaku says those who are married have very supportive husbands.

She says they have 71 members in their DCOSS, and they are the only ones doing fundraising for all their financial needs.

Non-financial community support was provided by the Fiji Police, National Fire Authority and the Ministry of Health.