Transforming a Small Garden into a Business

Meet Rose Tamu, Solomon Islands

Rose Tamu is a 60-year-old mother of five and grandmother of nine from Mbaranumba, a

farming community in Honiara, Solomon Islands. A hardworking and resilient woman, she

supported her family for many years through small backyard crop farming, though limited

resources made it difficult to generate stable income.

Her turning point came in 2013 when she became one of the pioneer members of SPBD

Microfinance in the Solomon Islands. Through SPBD’s financial training, Rose gained practical skills in saving, budgeting, and managing her small business. With her first loan, she

purchased basic gardening tools and quality seeds, which significantly improved her productivity and allowed her to earn more consistently from market sales.

Encouraged by her early success, Rose continued to access loans and reinvest in her farming

activities. Determined to strengthen her income, she later expanded into piggery, raising and selling pigs alongside her crops. This diversification provided a more reliable livelihood and improved her family’s financial security.

Today, in 2026, Rose is on her 13th loan cycle of SBD and operates a booming farming and piggery business. Her earnings now support her household, cover school fees for her children and grandchildren, and provide greater stability for her extended family.

Reflecting on her journey, Rose says, “SPBD helped me turn my small garden into a business

and build a better future for my family.”