If life gives you fruits, make jam. That is what women from Afega, Leauvaa and Tuanai were doing last week.

They were part of the Samoa Women’s Association of Growers (SWAG) efforts to support the economic empowerment of women in local communities in the second Siamufest workshop.

The fun and engaging experience focused on sharing traditional knowledge and developing practical skills. In collaboration with the Komiti o Tina of Tuana’i, over 20 women from the village including the neighbouring villages of Afega and Leauva’a came together to learn about the fundamentals of preserving local produce, sustainability of seasonal fruits and vegetables, and creating avenues in marketing their products to improve their livelihoods through small scale entrepreneurship.

“SWAG is incredibly grateful to hold Siamufest in Tuana’i and work with all the amazing women that participated in today’s workshop,” said Papali’i Mele Maualaivao, SWAG Secretary.

“It was great to see such a high level of engagement from our participants and we thank our wonderful SWAG facilitators as well as representatives from our previous Siamufest in Vavau for their support today.”

Beginning with a knowledge-sharing session on the traditional and medicinal properties of local Samoan plants, workshop attendees were able to learn and further their knowledge of the traditional uses of plants that were readily available to them to improve general health and well-being.

“We’re very privileged to live in a country where we have a strong connection to our surroundings and that’s part of what today was about - that reaffirming of traditional knowledge and discussions about the plants available to us in Samoa,” said Louise Main, Program Facilitator.

The latest Siamufest also served as opportunity to build connections between districts in Samoa with the workshop including previous participants now acting as facilitators.

“I attended today to share my knowledge and skills that I learnt from the session in my village to empower other women to be able support their families,” said Sinatala Sun Europa, Vavau Women’s Committee Representative.

“Since our training in Vavau, we have continued the skills taught to us and frequently come together as a komiti to make products for our families and to sell to support our livelihoods. I’m so proud to be here today and to share with these women about our experiences and how it has positively affected our communities.”

At the culmination of the workshop, participants were excited to utilise their newly acquired skills and begin to develop their products for their families and also to explore business opportunities.

“Before today’s training, I didn’t know about preserving and its processes, but after experiencing the workshop I can see the potential to use preserving as a means to generate income – I’m excited to carry this on,” said Iuni Saena from Tuana’i.

Based on the success of Siamufest in 2024, SWAG will continue its current momentum and hold several more workshops in the hopes of providing greater support for women’s economic inclusion and development at the community level.

“As women and mothers, we make decisions based on the needs of our families. By empowering women through workshops such as Siamufest we can provide women with a means to make money that supports their various obligations,” SWAG project Manager Ofusina Epa-Lauala

“We look forward to seeing delicious jam being produced in Tuana’i and further engagement with our wider communities next year.”