NOFOTANE STORY TOLD THROUGH PRODUCTS

​Nofotane – The Woman Behind the Product
Her role in the family is a servant. Her place is usually in the kitchen. She does not have a voice.  She is the *nofotane woman.  BUT! She is valuable; born a creator with a purpose in life.  Empower her, and she will empower her family.  It’s a hard fought battle, yet rewarding *Nofotane translates as ‘stay or live with husband’

A glimpse of the Nofotane Story is attached to all the products created by the empowered nofotane women, which are now shared by anyone who wears the products.
 
The most popular are the red lopa seeds sewn into lanyards, in addition to the hand printed materials (elei), sewn into bags, suitable for meeting, conferences, trainings and other similar occasions.
 
The latest were 400 participants to the Cutting Edge Conference held in New Zealand from 12 – 15 September 2018, who wore the popular lopa seeds, sown into lanyards by close to 20 self-employed nofotane women (2 from Manono-tai, 1 from Luatuanuu, 1 from Pata Falelatai, and more than 15 women from Foailuga Savaii).
 
It’s unique, it’s innovative, and it’s specific to the empowered nofotane women and their story of hardship, which makes their empowerment all the more rewarding.
 
Similarly in Samoa, the nofotane products will be worn by 50 participants to the Pacific Judicial Conference hosted by the Samoa Judicary from 24 – 28 September.
 
The products include lopa lanyards and printed handbags who will be worn by the 50 participants from New Zealand, Australia, United States of America, Papua New Guinea, Guam, Fiji, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Palau, Niue, Kiribati, the Solomon Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia.  The extent of the nofotane women’s story of empowerement will now reach the Pacific region through word of mouth, and through the products worn by the participants to these international conferences.
 
This is part and partial of the sustainability support Samoa Victim Support Group continues to provide for the newly self-employed nofotane women in Samoa.

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