Country women share ideas in Stratford

Delegates from the South Pacific conference for ACWW enjoyed a pot luck dinner and the opportunity to share ideas and experiences in Stratford last week.

They live thousands of kilometres apart, in very different countries, however the delegates attending the Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW) South Pacific Conference in Taranaki have found plenty to talk about over the past week.

The women, who have come from New Zealand, Australia, and Pacific Island countries including Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Kiribati, have been spending their time sharing ideas and initiatives focused on empowering women in rural communities.

Margaret Vickers, one of the Taranaki members of ACWW, says the organisation was formed in 1927, "with the aim of promoting international goodwill, friendship and understanding between the countrywomen and homemakers of the world".

On Thursday last week, the delegates visited the Stratford District where they enjoyed an art workshop at Verdigris in Stratford.

Margaret says recycling is an important issue here and in the Pacific Islands and the workshop gave the women the opportunity to learn how to make useful items from recyclables. The group also visited Toko where they spent time at the playcentre and the school.

Sarah Ekali, a delegate from Papua New Guinea, says she was "very impressed" by Toko School's focus on the environment.

"While we have schools in rural settings and they do some things, I got plenty of ideas from visiting Toko School and seeing how they recycle and the work they do on sustainability."

Sarah says her group is new to ACWW, having only recently formed.

"So far we have just 20 members but we will soon have more, we are working with women from another island near us who plan to join our group as well."

She says ACWW gives her not just ideas for projects but also confidence in her ability to do things. "I see the other groups around the world, and what they achieve, and I realise I can do this as well, I can help my community this way."

Gail Commens, the South Pacific Area president for ACWW, says the conference is a great way for delegates to share ideas and learn from each other.

She adds Taranaki has been a "great location" for the conference and she is confident everyone will leave full of new ideas. On Thursday evening, the delegates enjoyed a pot-luck dinner at the Anglican Church Hall in Stratford, sponsored by Central Taranaki Rural Women.