Women in Lomavata are taking significant strides to alleviate poverty through local craftsmanship, spearheaded by Sera Gukiwasa Coriakula, the head of the Lomavata Church Women’s Fellowship Group. Coriakula emphasizes that the path to overcoming poverty lies in leveraging the natural talents that women already possess. In a recent conversation with FBC News, she underscored the value of manual creativity—through sewing, crafting, baking, and weaving—as a means to uplift not only their families but the broader community.
Coriakula stated, “God gave us hands not just to pray, but to create. If we use them wisely… we can lift our families and our communities out of hardship.” This empowering mindset has inspired many women in the area to transform traditional crafts into successful small enterprises. They are now utilizing their skills to produce mats, baskets, and baked goods, which they sell in local markets, turning their talents into reliable income streams.
What started as a simple church fellowship initiative has blossomed into a wider movement focused on empowerment and self-sufficiency. Coriakula expressed, “We may not have much, but we have time, talent, and faith. When we put these together, poverty loses its power over us.” She envisions extending training programs to teach additional skills, such as jewelry-making and tailoring, to ensure more women benefit from this initiative.
This grassroots empowerment effort mirrors similar programs across Fiji, where women increasingly engage in handicrafts to promote economic independence. For example, a recent workshop by the Lifebread Stay Connected Foundation in Lautoka allowed participants to learn traditional weaving techniques, enhancing their skills and creating new income opportunities. Initiatives like these highlight the critical role of creativity and entrepreneurship in fostering community growth and economic resilience.
Coriakula’s leadership showcases that empowerment does not necessarily require large-scale projects; it can be realized through simple means like a needle and thread or hands ready to work. As Lomavata’s women continue to innovate and collaborate, they exemplify the remarkable potential for community-driven initiatives to generate sustainable change, paving the way for a brighter and more resilient future.