MADALI Women in Ward 18, North Rendova, Western Province will longer use dugout canoe and paddle to Munda market to sell their garden produce.
This was made possible after the Ward 19 Development Committee (WDC) through a grant under the Western Provincial Government was able to purchase a 15 hp outboard motor (OBM) for them.
The women received their new OBM from WDC Committee last week after a short handing over ceremony in Munda.
Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) Jobie Gaga officially handed over the OBM.
They can now access the Munda market each week using the OBM.
The women thanked Western Provincial Government for injecting the money through their MPA.
Madali Women spokesperson and secretary of WDC Bana Laki said the OBM is a blessing for Madali women because it now solves their transportation needs.
He said, in the past, the women would paddle in dugout canoes across from Rendova to Munda on New Georgia to sell their garden produce at the market.
For many years Madali women have been doing this and no one has seen their struggle as these women struggled to sell their products to earn an income and support their families, he said.
“Sometimes they face bad weather while paddling across to New Georgia Island,” he said.
Because of their great need, WDC has recognized their plight and stepped in to purchase an OBM for them.
“It is not that easy for the women, but now their prayers and longing to have an OBM has been answered,” Mr. Laki said.
He said the women from Madali have struggled when it comes to transporting their produce to Munda and Noro markets because they don’t have any OBM.
“However, the struggle has come to an end thanks to Ward Development Committee and MPA Hon. Jobie Gaga for the timely purchase and delivery of the 15 hp,” Laki said.
Ward 19 Development Committee Chairman Reginald Sasa thanked the Western Provincial Government through their MPA for the funds to purchase the 15 hp OBM.
By LACHLAN EDDIE
Newsroom, Honiara
