By Patrick Muuh
Copyright postcourier
Eighty-seven women in Menyamya District, Morobe Province, participated in a three-day women’s empowerment training focused on the theme: “Saving before Consumption.”
Held from September 17 to 19 at the Menyamya Vocational Conference Room, the program was the first financial literacy initiative of its kind for women in the district.
The training was facilitated by Ms. Cynthia Changau, Director of Moin Biz Solution, a popular Facebook business page.
Ms. Changau utilized her background in teaching and online training to cover topics including income generation, budgeting, wise money management, and the core principle of saving first before spending.
The lessons directly addressed local cultural practices, reflecting on the traditional distribution of wealth or pig meat and comparing it to the habit of spending all cash immediately after receiving fortnight wages or sales, without saving for the future.
The training deeply impacted many women, with some brought to tears. Many participants wished they had learned about saving earlier, while others regretted how they had managed money in the past.
A key issue highlighted was that many women in Menyamya do not have formal bank accounts. Instead, they save money in containers or bury it in the ground. Their reluctance was rooted in a fear that banks might steal their money or a belief that opening an account required too many complicated steps. Ms. Changau encouraged the participants to trust commercial banks, stressing that formal savings are safer and more beneficial for their future.
Ms. Changau also delivered a strong motivational message: “We women are not meant to stay only in the kitchen and cook. If we can manage our homes, then we can also manage finances. We can become successful businesswomen.”
She further stressed the urgency for local women to take the lead in business before the Connect PNG Road links Morobe to Port Moresby through Menyamya. She warned that failure to act could lead to foreigners dominating trade in the district, leaving locals as spectators.
The women left the training motivated and inspired, ready to make positive financial changes for their families and community.
The program was made possible through the support of Mr. Noel Solomon, Community Development Manager, who arranged for Ms. Changau to conduct the sessions.
Participants expressed excitement and requested follow-up support, specifically in obtaining National Identification (NID) cards and opening bank accounts so they can begin saving properly.
