For women in Viwa Village it’s a dream come true after the announcement were made to bring in a professional pastry chef to the island to upgrade skills of these women Viwa is one of the 13 villages part of the Lako Yani Vou Cooperative aimed to up-skill women in cookery.
The women of the other 12 villages include: Soso, Nakoroivau, Namuka, Logani, Waikulua, Cautata, Ovea, Waicoka, Vatani, Dromuna, Qiuva and Muanaira.
These women each take turns in selling their dishes at their restaurant at the Nausori Municipal Market. Lako Yani Vou Cooperative chairperson Vueti Kosoniu says a pastry chef will go to Viwa Island to teach women more about baking.
“Women can learn how to make pastries and they will be able to sell it in our restaurant at the Nausori Municipal Market,” said Mr Kosoniu.
Department of Cooperatives director Faizal Khan showed support saying he would arrange for these women to buy in bulk rather than paying supermarket prices to assist them further.
Mr Khan said the Viwa Lako Yani Vou Co-op was also exploring the establishment of a new outlet for its goods.
Viwa Lako Yani Vou Cooperative falls under the umbrella of the Lako Yani Vou Coop.
Viwa Coop says it is grateful for assistance in boosting skills and opportunities for its members.
Mr Kosoniu said a piece of land has been cleared near Cautata Village specifically to plant crops.
He said all the money earned from the sale of root crops and vegetables would be used to run the coop.
He said about 30 men and five women from Viwa cleared three acres of land near Cautata Village l two weeks ago.
Mr Kosoniu said he was happy to see the support from the gentlemen most of whom were husbands. He said work started in the morning and finished after lunch.
Four boats were used to cart the group from Viwa who returned home at high tide.
“Photos of their men and women working clearing the land will be sent to the Commissioner Central Office and the Ministry of Agriculture.
“We will need their assistance for advice on what crops would be suitable for planting and also the supply of seeds.”
Mr Kosoniu said they have big plans ahead but they would take each step at a time and he hoped that the Lako Yani Vou Co-operative would be a well established co-operative in years to come.
