Banaban women prepare for school Rabi Island

[Stacey King]

FIJI TIMES ONLINE Serafina Silaitoga  Friday, January 07, 2011

PREPARING for the new school term, a group of women in the north have started selling handicraft items to help them cater for their children's education needs.

The women on Rabi island have flooded the market at Nuku village on the island to sell their products.

Terikano Takesau, executive committee member of the Banaban Women's Association said the association members had already started collecting money, through the sale of handicraft.

"Some started before Christmas and it's encouraging to see them take education seriously and not wait for a week before school starts," Mrs Takesau said.

"The members have started preparing for their children's return to school and we are helping out in whatever way we can through the Banaban Welfare with lunch and bus fares."

She said the women earned good money from their sales.

"Whatever money earned by these women has been used to buy textbooks and children's school uniforms," Mrs Takesau said.

The Welfare had last month identified 70 children on the island who needed educational assistance financially.