Resilient Women in Rural Fiji
Donation protected
Building resilience and health for women in rural Fiji, with a focus on single mums and unemployed women.
This campaign is hosted in Australia because Go Fund Me does not use Fiji accounts yet. The figure above is total raised, we have spent $450 -- $1250 left.
$1000 per month keeps this project going. That covers my wages, internet (expensive when remote), materials, tools and other costs. (I have a new laptop to do the work). $1000 may not sound enough, but I will make it work. The cost of one coffee per week covers one hour of my weekly wage to do this project. Please tell your friends. I will spend every cent very well.
Life is tough for single mums and unemployed women in rural communities in Fiji. They are looked down upon and often feel ashamed and isolated. This project will build their skills and help them be independent and confident.
We will do this with farming and health promotion. I will write a report so this project will also be model for strong women in other island communities to do the same.
Hi I’m Kathy. I live in a small settlement in South Taveuni, Fiji. I understand the challenges and pain of being a single mum in a rural community. So I decided to take a stand and become more resilient and independent. I am paying off my own land, established my own farm and building a house there. It’s been very tough, but I feel strong and I am proud of my life. I’ll use what I have learned and my determination to help other women to achieve their potential.
Farming. Using my land, women (including two single mums) are growing vegetables for their families and for sale. I am teaching and supporting them. They are learning new skills, have healthier food for their children, gain income and feel really good about themselves. The vegetable project is the first step toward a bigger farming project (see “Future Plans” link below). I am not charging any money for the women to use my land. It is my gift to them and this project.
Health Promotion. Did you know Fiji ranks 2nd in the world for breast cancer, 2nd for diabetes, 15th for uterine cancer, 19th for heart disease? Details.
I will do my best to change that in our community. For each topic I will visit more than 50 families in our area, show them a video on each topic and give them pamphlets and encourage them to set goals for better health. We may also do this at the South Taveuni High School later in the year.
I am not a health professional, but have support, at no cost, of an Australian health company who will provide the videos, materials and coach me. Where possible I will get young women to help me and build their knowledge and confidence.
Topics: Feb: personal breast checking for women and testicular cancer checking for men. Plus general cancer awareness. March: an Australian first aid teacher is visiting to accredit me and three other women. We will introduce general first aid to the community and give out donated first aid kits. April: is diabetes. Then healthy parenting; weight loss; smoking; exercise, pregnancies and STDs; hygiene, I’ll try and raise extra money for a doctor to visit the clinic and do PAP tests; supporting children being bullied (kids of single mums get bullied more and mums find it hard to take a stand because they are not supported) and more.
Its Time Foundation hosts this campaign and they also provide financial and general mentoring.
If I exceed the funding target I will do a presentation skills course, so I can tell this story well and help many more women. I also want to publish a book (I don't have those skills now, but I have people offering support and I am writing and recording notes).
Click here for future plans late 2017 or 2018
This campaign is hosted in Australia because Go Fund Me does not use Fiji accounts yet. The figure above is total raised, we have spent $450 -- $1250 left.
$1000 per month keeps this project going. That covers my wages, internet (expensive when remote), materials, tools and other costs. (I have a new laptop to do the work). $1000 may not sound enough, but I will make it work. The cost of one coffee per week covers one hour of my weekly wage to do this project. Please tell your friends. I will spend every cent very well.
Life is tough for single mums and unemployed women in rural communities in Fiji. They are looked down upon and often feel ashamed and isolated. This project will build their skills and help them be independent and confident.
We will do this with farming and health promotion. I will write a report so this project will also be model for strong women in other island communities to do the same.
Hi I’m Kathy. I live in a small settlement in South Taveuni, Fiji. I understand the challenges and pain of being a single mum in a rural community. So I decided to take a stand and become more resilient and independent. I am paying off my own land, established my own farm and building a house there. It’s been very tough, but I feel strong and I am proud of my life. I’ll use what I have learned and my determination to help other women to achieve their potential.
Farming. Using my land, women (including two single mums) are growing vegetables for their families and for sale. I am teaching and supporting them. They are learning new skills, have healthier food for their children, gain income and feel really good about themselves. The vegetable project is the first step toward a bigger farming project (see “Future Plans” link below). I am not charging any money for the women to use my land. It is my gift to them and this project.
Health Promotion. Did you know Fiji ranks 2nd in the world for breast cancer, 2nd for diabetes, 15th for uterine cancer, 19th for heart disease? Details.
I will do my best to change that in our community. For each topic I will visit more than 50 families in our area, show them a video on each topic and give them pamphlets and encourage them to set goals for better health. We may also do this at the South Taveuni High School later in the year.
I am not a health professional, but have support, at no cost, of an Australian health company who will provide the videos, materials and coach me. Where possible I will get young women to help me and build their knowledge and confidence.
Topics: Feb: personal breast checking for women and testicular cancer checking for men. Plus general cancer awareness. March: an Australian first aid teacher is visiting to accredit me and three other women. We will introduce general first aid to the community and give out donated first aid kits. April: is diabetes. Then healthy parenting; weight loss; smoking; exercise, pregnancies and STDs; hygiene, I’ll try and raise extra money for a doctor to visit the clinic and do PAP tests; supporting children being bullied (kids of single mums get bullied more and mums find it hard to take a stand because they are not supported) and more.
Its Time Foundation hosts this campaign and they also provide financial and general mentoring.
If I exceed the funding target I will do a presentation skills course, so I can tell this story well and help many more women. I also want to publish a book (I don't have those skills now, but I have people offering support and I am writing and recording notes).
Click here for future plans late 2017 or 2018
Organizer
Kathleen Isabell Manueli Nuttall
Organizer
Tarrawanna NSW
