In partnership with local organisation Ola Fou Fiji, the Talitha Women’s Leadership program aims to empower young women to be agents of change within their community. The training focuses on building skills in leadership, mentoring and financial literacy. A central element of the program is the ‘Leader Within’, sessions building on the confidence of young women to raise their voice in community decisions. Mary MacKillop Today recently spoke to the young women participants from the Dakuinuku community in central Viti Levu island. There are currently 13 participants of the Talitha project from this area with ages ranging from 19 – 25 years old, and encompassing 3 villages. The project has set up a Fortnightly Club, where the participants can come together in a safe space. The participants discuss the content of the trainings in the Clubs, and are also learning both traditional and new crafts and skills, including printed cloth and jewelry making. Ala, a young woman participating in the project shared that she has learnt it is best to not dwell on it if you make a mistake, but to share with family and friends as it helps lighten your load. forgive others.. She has also learnt about discipline, hygiene and self-awareness.
Thanks to your support, Ala has also learnt how to make tie necklaces, which she said she found really hard the first time, but then it became easier. Ala’s dream is to sell at the market, but she also knows that she set her sights on other jobs.
“To know who I am, where I came from, this is very important to know
who you are.” – Ala
