Chinese Government donates 600 sewing machines to the Fiji's Ministry of Women

On September 9, 2014, China donated 600 sewing machines to Fiji's Ministry of Women, Social Welfare and Poverty Alleviation. The 600 sewing machines are worth $64,000 and will be distributed among women in rural areas of Fiji. Huang Yong, Chinese Ambassador to Fiji, and Dr.

Jiko Luveni, Fiji's Minister of Women, Social Welfare, and Poverty Alleviation, signed the donation document at the handover ceremony.

According to Ambassador Huang, the sewing machines are expected to help hundreds of women achieve self-worth through creative work, and benefit hundreds of families and thousands of people in Fiji. Dr.

Jiko Luveni said that the 600 sewing machines will be provided to women groups particularly those who have lodged their requests with the ministry and that the idea is for all the villages in Fiji to have two sewing machines each. Loan applications and disbursements are still being received and processed as the projects continue to evolve.

Ongoing monitoring and evaluation are in place to ensure project continuity.