Page 36 - IB April 2021

SPBD SPBD

MEET THE MEMBERS

The launch of the SPBD TC Yasa Rehabilitation Loan Program gave us a chance to meet the resilient women of Fiji’s northern
division. Here two of them share their stories.

Evi Maiteci
My name is Evi Maiteci. I’m 55 years old and I’m a member of
Naduri Centre and I have been with SPBD for seven years. I have a
canteen and sell fuel too, outboard fuel, premix. Our main source of
income is fish. We didn’t go out to sea much during Tropical Cyclone
Yasa and we ended up not having enough supplies for our customers
which was worrying. Sales from the canteen weren’t doing well too
around the time, you know. It wasn’t good. I will use the TC Yasa loan
to stock up on items for my canteen, that’s the first thing I plan to do.
And then get more outboard fuel so at least I’ll have enough around
for a long time.
The SPBD loans have enabled me to set up and run my businesses
and upgrade my home. One of the hardest things I find with my busi-
ness is getting and accommodating credit requests from people in
the village you know, and it’s hard to say no. My proudest moments
with SPBD are having my loan applications approved and successfully
setting up my businesses. SPBD provides exceptional customer service
too and because we live in the village, they come to us and we don’t
have to go all the way to town to their office, which is a good thing.
We don’t have to deal with paperwork as they take care of this for us,
unlike banks, for example, when applying for a loan.
SPBD has taught me to manage money wisely as well and how to
provide additional support for my family’s needs. I want my busi-
nesses to flourish and I will keep supporting it to the fullest. I plan on
getting a car in the future, hopefully soon. SPBD is the best and I’m a
proud member.

Finau Ravola
My name is Finau Ravola. I’m a member of Nabouwalu Centre 1 in
Bua and I’m 38 years old. I’ve been with SPBD for a very a long time. 10
years now, I think. I sell yaqona, I make garlands, wreaths, and I bake
cakes.
Everything was slow when TC Yasa hit. My kava business was greatly
affected. Our suppliers ran short of it because their yaqona farms were
ruined. Most of them stopped supplying us because hardly anyone was
buying. They ended up consuming it.
I’m going to inject it [the TC Yasa loan] into my businesses. Most of
our belongings were destroyed during the cyclone and I’ll put aside
some of that money to replace it.
Even though my husband works, I buy stuff for our family most of the
time. Before his pay comes through, we already know where it will go
and what to spend it on. So, you see, the income I get from my busi-
nesses are very helpful. That’s why my husband is fully supportive of
what I do.
The hardest thing with my business? Moving to a new place and having
to start again. We lived in Suva before and when we moved here, we
didn’t know anyone and it was hard to get customers.
I plan to expand my businesses now which in turn will generate
enough income to help upgrade our home back in Delainavesi.

36 Islands Business, April 2021