STILL reeling from the impact of the flood, members of the Fiji Muslim Women's League in Nadi district had reason to smile with the presentation of 16 electric sewing machines from the Ministry of Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation.
The machines were given earlier in the week during a visit by minister Dr Jiko Luveni.
League vice-president Julekha Mustapha said "The women are one of the groups affected most by the recent flood. As such we had requested the minister to give us the sewing machines to help us generate income and sew clothes for our families."
She said the gifts were timely as the women were searching for a new beginning since the loss of their property during the flood.
The league members included those from Sigatoka, Ba, Lautoka and Nadi.
Dr Luveni said the government was committed to ensuring the prosperity of the nation.
She said the machines would create the multiplying effect of income generation, providing an opportunity to exercise managerial skills and reviving women's organisations.
Mafida Ali of the Sigatoka Women's League said the sewing machines would be used to sew school uniforms, dresses, door mats, pillowcases and curtains.