Women of Riverside village in South Malaita officially received assistance from the European Union Micro Project that enables them to start on micro projects to support themselves.
The official handover of the Riverside Women's Health and Life Skills Project Wednesday last week is through the EU Micro Project's Phase Two programme.The project cost a total of SBD$154,664 with EU MPP providing SBD$103,664 to cover costs for materials and equipment, capacity building and training, transport and human resources.
Community contribution of SBD$51,000.00 in kind covers community labour, meals and accommodation, local materials (sand, gravel and timber) and making available of land.
The project package includes a Personal Viability Training, health training and building of 20 sanitation facilities and procurement of seven sewing machines and sewing training.
Officials from the EU MPP and a representative from the Ministry of National Planning and Aid Coordination, Andrew Prakash, were present to witness the handover.
Riverside village has, over the years, experienced high incidents of diseases as a result of poor health practices and lack of proper sanitation facilities.
Despite many meetings and consultations conducted to address the problems, no actions were carried out.
There was lack of action because women lack capacity and the know how to address the issues. Moreover, the women lack fundraising activities to start micro projects to raise funds and to support themselves.
Women of the Riverside village gave rise to the project for possible funding from the EU MPP II.
Project partners that made possible the request from the women of Riverside village are: village chief and village council, Afio Area Health Centre, NCD Department, Disease Prevention Control of the Ministry of Health and Personal Viability Trainers.