Walking out of poverty

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Kontiki Finance Ltd’s manager business Alifereti Kikau with his staff members present the equipment to Sekonaia Kotobalavu and his family at Tovata yesterday. Picture: JONA KONATACI

SEKONAIA Kotobalavu received his New Year’s wish yesterday in the form of assistance to start his own business from Kontiki Finance Ltd.

The 36-year-old from Kalabu, Nasinu lost mobility in his limbs after an accident in 2002 and since then he has been assigned to a wheelchair.

Mr Kotobalavu said he had business ideas but his only drawback was his condition which was holding him back.

“I have ideas but it has been really hard for me to actually go to places and people who could help me. However my prayers were answered when I met Helen Williamson last year and I reached out to her for help in starting up my business,” he said.

Mr Kotobalavu lives with his parents, cousins and their children in Kalabu.

“I wanted to start a poultry farm and I was fortunate that the landowners from Veikoba gave me a plot of land to build my poultry farm,” he said.

Mr Kotobalavu yesterday received a barbecue set, chairs, a chest freezer, tent and equipment to build the chicken shed on his allocated land.

“I had asked Kontiki to help me and with this I will start my barbecue selling business. In the meantime my father and cousin will start working on the chicken shed and once I have made enough money from the barbecue sales I will start the poultry farm,” he said. He said this would help him and his family walk out of poverty.

“My father works as a security officer and he is the only breadwinner for our family. This business will allow me to assist my family and earn an income for us.”

Mr Kotobalavu gets $90/month as social welfare benefit but he says it’s not enough to meet his needs therefore the small business will assist him and his family.

He said the chicken farm would be looked after by his father and cousin with family members helping out with the barbecue business.

Kontiki Finance training and development manager Helen Williamson said staff members from the company carried out fundraising activities and managed to raise $1000.

Ms Williamson said the company contributed $2000, taking the total to $3000, which was used to purchase the items for Mr Kotobalavu.

“When we purchased everything we used $2800 of the money so we have $200 to give to SK to help start up his business.”

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