Business training empowered persons with disabilities in Fiji

The Pacific Disability Forum and the Fiji Disabled People's Federations conducted 'Start Your Business (SYB) Trainings in the Northern and Central Division consecutively on 22 to 26 June 2015 in Buca Bay, Cakaudrove and on 29 June to 3 July 2015 in Suva, for persons with disabilities. The two trainings were conducted to empower potential entrepreneurs and current entrepreneurs with disabilities to grow their business and better document their business pathways.

The 37 persons with disabilities who was part of the training were empowered with business planning skills and business ethics that would assist them to run their business better. 

This training was organized under the Pacific Enable project of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in collaboration with the Pacific Disability Forum (PDF) who facilitated the training with the Fiji Disabled People’s Federation to encourage sustainable and independent living for persons with disabilities in Fiji.

PDF CEO Mr. Setareki Macanawai said, “the ‘Start Your Business’ training is an opportunity for persons with disabilities in the area of employment and sustainable living.”

He encouraged participants of the SYB training to take the opportunity and run their own businesses, highlighting that they have the capacity to do it. 

The two trainings was an ideal opportunity for the participants to receive knowledge on developing a business plan and ensure that it is implemented in the running of their business and most importantly help them sustainably grow their business.

Buca Bay participant Mr. Petero Raisaqai said that the training was an eye opener for him as he learned the principles of running a business and how to develop a plan for his business. He further stressed that this is the first business training that he has ever attended.

SYB training is an initiative of the ILO to encourage self-employment for persons with disabilities, to sustainably and independently earn a living through running their own businesses.

Ms. Mereia Siganisucu of Suva said that the training has empowered her to run a business on her own. 

“Before I came to this workshop I was a co-partner with my mother’s business. But after this workshop I have decided that I would like to start my own business as now I know how to run a business and its do’s and don’ts”, she said.

SYB is a materials-based training programme for potential entrepreneurs with a business idea who want to develop their own business plan and start their own business.