Women of Lawaki learning the skill of baking at the bakery which was funded by IHRDP. Photo.SUPPLIED.
The Integrated Human Resource Development (IHRDP) assistance towards a bakery in Lawaki village, Tailevu has provided more than 20 women the opportunity to learn the skills of baking and setting up business for the future.
This project was funded by the IHRDP with total funding of $79,042.62 and it has provided employment for the women of Lawaki village.
Lawaki villager, Capetu Ratabau said since the inception of the bakery women have been provided the opportunity to learn basic baking skills and setting up their own businesses for the future.
“Since it’s a voluntary exercise, we (women) are involved in shift work at the bakery just to learn the skill of baking and maybe in future setup similar business for income generating purposes for our families,” Ratabau said.
“We supply bread to the nearby schools and villages in the Tailevu province.”
IHRDP Manager Aslam Khan said the main purpose of the bakery was to provide local employment for the villagers and engage women in skill training.
“The bakery previously used to supply three dozen loaves of bread a day but due to the local demand we have managed to increase the supply and recorded good returns. We are also looking at purchasing new machines because with the current ones we are using gas and this is expensive,” Mr Khan said.
Lawaki bakery manager, Apisai Bati said the training has been useful and is an eye opener for the villagers.
“We have realised that we have the man-power and the skills and government is giving us first hand opportunity to work on such projects so that we can have improve our standard of living,” Mr Bati said.
“We also plan to expand our business in the future and increase our supply to meet the demands of for our customers.”
Press Release