MELANESIA: Mothers' Union to implement socio-economic strengthening program in Solomon Islands

Mothers' Union President Ethel Suri said the initiative is aimed at providing training in the areas of leadership, business management, and small-scale agriculture production and sewing.

She said the initiative is especially important in assisting women members in the dioceses to become independent, creative and strategic.

It was felt that at the highest level of the diocese, problems have existed around effective leadership and management.

The training will help to improve communication skills, and develop awareness for communication and action. Leaders will be expected to generate visions, goals, strategies and actions for initiatives.

Suri added that the dioceses have demanded too much from its members financially to support on-going activities, resulting in them starting small-income-generating activities but with lack of basic knowledge in business practices.

Through this initiative Suri's office is hoping to overcome these challenges.

While the dioceses will mostly be engaged in sewing, the dioceses of Central Melanesia and Ysabel will be involved in additional projects. Central Melanesia will be facilitating honeybee farming while Ysabel will be piloting the kava growing and production for its women.

Suri said this is a one-year project with funding coming from the Micro Project Program of the European Union. The total cost for the project is $162,125.00.