A workshop to empower women participants in the Nofotane Project closed yesterday at the Eden’s Edge in Apia.

Organised by an Australian organization called the Hut, the three-day workshop was attended by 20 women with eight from Savaii, one from Manono and 11 from Upolu who took part in the Nofotane project under the Samoa Victim Support Group (SVSG). 

Founder of the Hut organization, 19-year-old Jada Fa’anana-Schults, said that the project is called susu and meli (milk and honey) which is a biblical reference to God’s blessings or promises.

“The workshop was for Nofotane women to create their own designs of hats, mats or bags, save their money and invest it for sustainable income. 

“A highlight on the last day of this workshop was getting to know the women on a personal level as well as establishing designed products with them, so now we will conduct follow-ups with them through SVSG over the next couple of months to get the set products.

“We have the designs in theory but now we are going towards making products to sell overseas,” she said.

Ms. Fa’anana-Schults also talked about how strong the participants are in their faith and culture. 

“I learned that these women are strong in faith and culture, in terms of them holding on to their culture through what they designed.

“In my opinion, it is very special because at the end of the day they want to help promote and preserve their culture,” she added.

Speaking to the Samoa Observer, she said that for future goals they want to come back to Samoa.

“In terms of future goals, we will definitely be coming back, we have just completed phase one, and phase two is working with these women to sell their products overseas.

“I have so many people to thank like all the volunteers that came over just to help our people and with that we also encourage anyone who would like to help SVSG.”