When Australia Awards alumna Jean Uwesi returned to her Green Valley community in Honiara after earning a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Adelaide, she was determined to help local women build better livelihoods.

With support from the Australia Awards Solomon Islands’ Alumni Support Grant, Jean organised a hands-on fabric arts training for more than 50 women from Green Valley and nearby areas. The training taught participants fabric dyeing and screen-printing techniques to create vibrant lavalava, opening up new income-generating opportunities.

Single mother Pricillia Bokolonga said she quickly put her new skills into practice.

“After the training, I was able to dye and sell my own lavalava, even sending some overseas to support my family,” she said.

Another participant, Lorelle Misi, admitted she once thought fabric dyeing was too difficult.

“After this training, I know I can do it myself. I feel confident to try new things,” she said.

The training’s impact has spread beyond individual households. The Green Valley Zone 3 Women’s Group has started using their hand-dyed fabrics as prizes in community fundraising events, inspiring other women’s groups to follow suit.

Led by fabric art expert John Fadama, the training blended demonstrations with practical exercises, helping participants build confidence as they experimented with new techniques.

For Jean, the project embodies her belief that education and skills training are powerful tools for women’s empowerment and community development.

“This grant gave us the chance to build capacity at the grassroots level, and I’m proud to see women stepping forward with new skills, confidence, and ideas for income generation,” she said.

While challenges like access to dyeing materials remain, the women’s group is committed to building on the foundation laid by the training.

The Alumni Support Grant initiative continues to showcase Australia’s commitment to supporting women’s empowerment and grassroots economic growth in Solomon Islands.