QUALITY IMPROVEMENT IS THE KEY

​The nofotane women who have set up new business ventures in Sagone, Fogatuli, Vaipuna, Siutu and Salailua following SVSG’s Nofotane Project in the past, shared the same mentality towards their products, and that is with regards to quality improvement.
 
According to Taufao Loli Matauaina of Vaipua “I have to continuously improve the quality of my products to be more competitive in the market.”

60% of the nofotane women from this 6th session of self-esteem workshops funded by the Canadian government, have been the proud suppliers of siapo or tapa cloth, recycled woven bags, and elei for orders received by SVSG from its overseas supporters in New Zealand, Australia and America.
 
As such, these women knew exactly what makes their products sellable as they continued to work on quality improvement.  With a bit of innovation, the nofotane women have integrated new designs into their products to make them more attractive to the buyers.
 
The inspirational speaker for this 6th session was none other than a local business woman and a nofotane herself, Mrs. Tuaoialii Tuato of Salailua who encouraged the new earners that “nothing in life comes easy; you have to go through a lot of challenges in order for you to become stronger.”
 
The aim of the Canada Fund for Local Initiative Project implemented by SVSG in partnership with the Canadian government is to ensure sustainable income generation and self-employment of nofotane women in Samoa.
 
Just like the rest of the nofotane earners under the SVSG empowerment program, the nofotane women of Sagone, Fogatuli, Vaipuna, Siutu and Salailua have the SVSG village representatives in their respective villages to provide them with ongoing mentorship as they continued with their new business ventures.
 
“Keep up the good work ladies, remember, a nofotane woman will always be a nofotane; the project is not attempting to change this aspect of our culture, but merely aims to ensure sustainability of being empowered because a strong, proud and successful community, does not tolerate any form of violence against women.” Siliniu Lina Chang, SVSG President