Weaver from Lapaha, Tonga
Success for Pasiano can be summed up in three words — never give up. Pasiano, a wife and mother of four young children, lives in a rural village in Tonga. Her husband’s income was not enough to support their family needs, so Pasiano started a small business selling kiekie, a Tongan ornamental girdle worn for semiformal occasions, to supplement his income. Unfortunately the business was not successful.
Eager to find a way to improve her family’s financial stability, Pasiano became a member of SPBD Tonga and applied for a loan to start her own small, weaving business. SPBD’s loans allowed her to purchase supplies such as bundles of pandanus, which are essential to the art of weaving. Pasiano started weaving a variety of ta’ovala mats. This was a life-changing experience for her and her family. “I can complete three small ta’ovalas a week and sell each one for TOP$100 ($43 USD),” explained Pasiano. With hard work and financing from SPBD, Pasiano succeeded in her goal to secure a source of steady income for her family. “Now my family is able to have breakfast every morning and have meat for dinner every day,” she explains, with gratitude.
With her weaving business growing well, Pasiano has been able to put money away in savings, making it a greater family priority. Savings provided Pasiano with money to cover certain housing improvements such as roof expenses and a foundation for her new house. Her family’s quality of life has certainly improved.
“I am very thrilled that SPBD has recognized my hard work and commitment to my business. I am very proud to be one of the many who has succeeded in using these loans to further my business.”
Pasiano’s message to her fellow members: “If we use the loan for business purposes, and do well, we will obtain good results after.”