Page 35 - IB Dec 2020

SPBD SPBD

Marica Sute’s granddaughter graduated with a Bachelor
MEET THE MEMBER: of Science from the Fiji School of Medicine four years ago;
MARICA SUTE something that brings the SPBD Matanakilagi Centre leader
great pride, particularly as she was able to help pay for her
granddaughter’s education.
Marica has been able to help her grandchildren with
their education expenses through her hard work as a
micro-entrepreneur. Well-known for her baking and cooked
meals, she runs a small canteen from her home, and with
other Matanakilagi members, has a café at Suva’s iconic
World Harvest Centre. Her clients include her friends,
neighbours, office workers and church members.
While COVID-19 has posed challenges, she has managed
to keep going. “I had a hair salon which I established two
years ago but when COVID-19 hit, and business was going
down, I sold my share. So, I got my share of money back
and that’s it. I’m still carrying on with my café, Café 1 at
the food court,” Marica says.
28 women belong to the SPBD Matanakilagi centre. In
2017, Marica was recognised as SPBD’s ‘Individual Saver of
the Year’. “The funds I got from SPBD helped me establish
and run my canteen. I do some savings too and yes, all
the businesses we have were funded by SPBD,” she says.
Marica hopes to remain a member of SPBD for a long time
to come.

Islands Business, December 2020 35