Elizabeth Galomule Senikau, a teacher by profession in Vanuatu, says attending a two- week course in establishing and operating a small seafood business had taught her many important skills.
She said her interest in cooking was developed in her teenage years while assisting her mother prepare meals for the whole family.
Ms Senikau said while her mum was very astute with money, she lacked the skills needed to develop a proper business plan.
She said the workshop had broadened her knowledge of the different dishes that could be prepared to attract customers.
“I joined this course because my mother is a part-time caterer and she’s originally from the Solomon Islands and also because my maternal grandmother is a fisherwoman by profession,” Ms Senikau said.
“We learnt a lot of skills from her — from fishing to cooking to sustainable harvest.”
She said the course had taught her a lot about acknowledging and maintaining resources and marine life.
Ms Senikau said they were taught the basics of running a business in a way that even a primary school child would understand.
She said it was enlightening to learn that entrepreneurs could start a small business selling nama on the roadside for $2 a plate and develop it into something more lucrative by implementing good business management skills.
Ms Senikau was one of 41 students who participated in the course. She said she would take the knowledge back to Vanuatu to help her family and communities.
The course was facilitated by the University of the South Pacific’s Pacific-European Union Marine Partnership (PEUMP) program.
