The Yadua Center has seen a decline with its members over the years as some women would often not be able to pay their loans back to the South Pacific Business Development or find formal employment.
Center secretary Luisa Nabewa who started as a member at the center in 2012 said at first they there was nearly 35 members. “After that because of a lot of them when they take loan they just take it and run away so we have to cover those people.
“If there isn’t any business running then there will be a problem.”
She said those who had business which had a long term return on profit would often have difficulties paying back.
“Some of them were said to be new or had started their businesses.
“Another problem was lending their cash or products on credit to their customers.”
Ms Nabewa said some of the members had also gone back to work at the resorts located nearby their area, while others had started working for businesses.
She said the members were advised to stick to their business and not to allow credits to be taken by their customers. The center was down to 14 to 15 members right now.
“I think through SPBD I have managed to save money, especially for my house.
“I have bought some electrical appliances, such as a refrigerator and deep freezer.
“I also got a new sofa for my home because before I couldn’t afford that as I was a domestic housewife.”
A lot of the members at the centre sold kava, tobacco and ran small canteens, according to Ms Nabewa. She said getting the business licences was a challenging task for most of the women from the village.
Ms Nabewa said these women ran small businesses and they couldn’t afford to pay for all the licenses.
“They have got different licenses now for tobacco, kava and especially when you want to run a small canteen. For some people they can’t afford to pay all these especially at this time.
“When I came to the Ministry of Justice, they told me you should have an email address.”
Ms Nabewa said she was too old to get into technology however she said someone eventually helped her get one.
She said with the help of SPBD they get through. However she said these hurdles would often discourage the women in rural areas.
“Normally when it’s a village life, they just want to stay and relax at home.
“They can’t afford to come to the town and wait in a queue.”
She said some people wanted to be spoon fed as well however they would need to take their own initiative to complete these processes.
