A determined entrepreneur
By Annie Vavak & Brigitte Olul, World Vision in Vanuatu
Community members host a mini trade show in Torba. IMAGE: Annie Vavak/World Vision in Vanuatu
As part of the AHP’s Disaster READY initiative, World Vision in Vanuatu has established Inclusive Savings for Transformation (iS4T), a project that helps vulnerable families to build resilience. Through iS4T groups, community members set up their own groups which enable them to save money together in small amounts and lend to each other when needs arise, such as family members’ illness, children education, and falling income due to disasters and impacts of climate change. This story demonstrates that iS4T group members are significantly more likely to use savings to manage the impact of a loss of livelihood/income and are more financially secure in the face of shocks and disaster.
Pastor Roney was thrilled to be able to purchase equipment to produce coconut oil with thanks to the Inclusive Savings for Transformation scheme. IMAGE: Annie Vavak/World Vision in Vanuatu
Pastor Roney, is a 66-year-old native of Motalava island. He is a member of Demtel iS4T savings group that was established in September 2024 with a total of 26 members, 15 of which are females and 11 males. To date, Demtel iS4T savings group’s total savings is 104,000VT (approximate $1330 AUD).
Roney is an entrepreneur, producing Virgin Coconut Oil as a Department of Industry (DOI) client. He takes immense pride in his work, which supports his family and brings positive changes to the community. Producing coconut oil comes with its challenges, the biggest being natural disasters which yearly reduces the number of coconuts trees can produce. In November 2024, Roney was invited to participate in the TORBA mini-Vanuatu made trade show, a two-days event organised by DOI as a platform for local farmers to showcase value-added products in preparation for the national annual Vanuatu made event that occurs every September to celebrate Vanuatu made products. Participating in the event required Roney to produce a higher quantity of virgin coconut oil product, so Roney decided to take a loan with Demtel savings group to employ laborers to manually grate coconut, with the aim that the quantity of both the manually grated coconut and the machine grated coconut combined will produce the desired target of 172 bottles of virgin coconut oil.
Rodney took a loan of 12,000 vatu (approximately $150 AUD) to employ some community members to grate the coconuts for him which allowed him to increase his coconut oil production for his usual customers as well as producing an extra 102 products that was sold at mini trade show. Roney successful sold all his products at the TORBA mini-Vanuatu made trade show, giving him a total profit of 67,000 vatu. The profit enables Roney to increase the production and expand the marketing of Virgin Coconut Oil while managing the challenges posed by limited electricity. The profits he earned from this venture motivated him to consider doubling his next loan to expand production.
Roney’s Virgin Coconut Oil has significantly impacted his community. Many residents have switched from using store-bought cooking oil to using Roney’s locally made, high-quality alternative. This shift not only promotes healthier living but also reinforces self-reliance by utilizing the land’s natural resources.
Roney credits his success to his membership with the IS4T Savings Group. It has provided him with financial support and a platform to save in case of future natural disasters, and grow his business funds. Roney expressed his gratitude for the opportunities IS4T brought to his doorstep, enabling him to overcome challenges and improve his production capacity. Despite the obstacles he faces, Roney remains committed to his business and the well-being of his family and community.