LIFEBREAD Stay Connected has made significant strides in expanding its flagship Confident Woman program by bringing empowerment training directly into communities, including the remote Yasawa Islands. This initiative represents the organization’s first foray into these secluded areas, underscoring its dedication to enhancing women’s personal development.
The community-focused version of the program, which received funding from Women’s Fund Fiji, was launched last year in Naviti and Yasawa. It aims to bolster life skills and personal growth among women, responding to a strong request from the local community for support in these areas.
Dorinda Work, the Director of LifeBread Stay Connected, highlighted the importance of this outreach, describing it as a landmark achievement for the organization. “The response was overwhelming. Many women shared that they had never experienced training dedicated to their personal value, emotional wellbeing, and leadership potential,” Ms. Work commented.
This tailored training paradigm shifts away from conventional business-oriented workshops, focusing instead on essential soft skills. Key subjects included in the program cover self-care, anger and behavior management, women’s leadership, change management, and financial wellbeing. Participants have expressed that these sessions motivated them to envision roles beyond traditional expectations of wife and mother, recognizing their vital contributions to their families and communities.
Encouraged by the enthusiastic response, LifeBread plans to roll out the program in Ba Province in collaboration with the Soqosoqo Vakamarama Ba, aiming to implement its teachings across all 21 districts. This maritime outreach not only signals a new chapter in their mission but also reflects a growing commitment to empowering women in communities that have long been overlooked. This initiative stands as a hopeful testament to the potential for personal and communal transformation through focused educational programs.