Port of Call LAST UPDATE February 6, 2010
site design imagesparkle.com
November 29, 2009 Apia, Samoa – Women in Business: Connecting Families with the Global Marketplace
image

Lafua Mano Lami (left) and his wife Tipesa are both employed in organic coconut oil production at the family compound. Here Lafua explains how the shredded coconut is slowly heated to extract moisture before going into the press.
The 67th voyage arrived in Samoa exactly two months after a tsunami devastated much of the island. Reconstruction efforts were ongoing in Siumu Village but coconut oil production continued seamlessly at the Mano Lami family compound. Peace Boat participants visited the inland property to observe how simple systems and technology can convert family traditions into viable and sustainable businesses.

Since its inception in 1991, Women in Business (WIB) has pursued a family based development model for Samoa. Its chief mandate is to assist families to generate income. WIB Project Officer, Supervisor Auvele, said that villages were losing youth to urban areas or overseas employers because they offered no employment opportunities. “Young people are regarded as the backbone of the community,” she explained. Their migration from the rural areas threatened the future of the villages. Family based businesses create a source of livelihood for young Samoans. At the Mano Lami compound, three generations of the family are involved in the production of organic coconut oil under a fair trade arrangement with WIB.
site design imagesparkle.com
image
Supervisor Auvele shows an example of guidelines developed by WIB to help producers achieve high quality output.
WIB serves as an interface between community-based producers and local and international traders. Over 1000 Samoans are currently registered with the NGO. It provides training in basic business principles and production techniques to its members to enable them to compete in the global marketplace. Profit from trade agreements negotiated by WIB is transferred to local producers. One major contract that the NGO has been able to secure on behalf of Samoan producers is the sale of organic coconut oil to The Body Shop – an international retailer of skin care products – as part of its community trade programme.

The maintenance of this contract requires strict quality control. It has served as the perfect opportunity for WIB to strengthen best practice among its members. The organization diligently promotes efficient resource management, good record keeping, and hygiene. In the case of coconut oil production, it provides organic certification to coconut farmers and has introduced graters and manual presses to oil producers. WIB collects the oil from families and conducts tests for moisture and fatty acids before approving shipments. The project has been so successful, The Body Shop has increased its demand and WIB is now working to expand capacity.
image
Isabela Simii Belford is a beneficiary of handicraft training from WIB. Ms Belford earns income from her beautifully woven bags and fans. Her son is involved in fishery with the aid of microfinance from WIB.
Organic coconut oil production is just one of several programmes conducted by WIB. The NGO offers skills training in handicrafts and sponsors contracts for traditional fine mat weaving. Fine mats are a treasured item in Samoan homes and take up to 30 weeks to complete. The mats can retail for up to US$2000. Another core programme is microfinance. WIB currently supports members engaged in cash crop farming, handicrafts and fishery. WIB also emphasizes disaster mitigation. Ms Supervisor said that because Samoa is prone to cyclones, the NGO encourages its members to move inland and save seeds. She said that these two steps have made a difference in getting producers back on their feet in the wake of the September 29 tsunami.

“If you can contribute to the village you will be able to make a difference on a national scale.” Ms Supervisor explained that for WIB, strong village economies are directly linked to a strong Samoan economy. WIB does not envision the industrialization of Samoa. Instead it is focused in merging tradition, technology and trade to enable women, families and youth to make a living.

Fundraising activities were organized onboard Peace Boat in aid of tsunami recovery efforts in Samoa. The money will be donated to Women in Business and SUNGO (a network of Samoan NGOs).