The Disabled People’s Association of Solomon Islands (DPASI) last week held a meeting to discuss about their business plans for next year at the DPASI’s office in China Town.
The organization has set some priorities that need to be considered and how their programs would begin for next year with new innovations and ideas.
Two agendas discussed in the meeting are: 1. Savings Club and 2. Interim Cooperation Society.
Heading the meeting was the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Casper Fa’asala who said that the Savings Club is something DPASI (which is soon to be the “National Disability Forum of Solomon Islands) will look for in its internal support for its members.
He added that the members include the employees of DPASI and employees of its affiliates. This is an idea DPASI want to start off next year.
“Most times we have our loved ones (relatives) pass on and most times we could not cope with life due to inflations. Therefore, one objective to counter that is to establish a Savings Club in order that when we (members) have short falls, we know where to go.
“Starting small is better and we want to make it grow it to something big in the future which can also capture disabilities who are unemployed,” Fa’asala said.
He said that it can become a national saving club for the disabilities.
He added that this can begin with employees and volunteers which then can spread to some of DPASI’s self-help groups who are now starting to engage in small income generating projects.
The bigger objective the meeting was about is how does the organization will address the issue of poverty. One other way is establishing an Interim Corporate Society.
“Disabled people are ten time poorer than any abled person. Whether in Solomon Islands or the first world countries, disabled people are the poor ones compared to abled people.
“Especially in Solomon Islands, when we don’t have certain schemes to help those with disabilities, it creates a big situation that disabilities face in our country,” Fa’asala said.
According to the CEO, most members of DPASI have started their small income generating projects such as weaving bags, poultry projects, etc.
“So, this is how we want to start, we want to create an avenue where we will start a corporate society.
“Importantly, this society will not look at selling goods that are already in stock in our public markets; rather, we will look at products that our disabilities can produce such as furniture, vegetables, sewing and dyeing of clothes; and maybe open necessary kind of different stores, looking at the different kinds of products they produce.
“Thus, we will look at different stores to cater for these products but under one roof and that is the Interim Cooperate Society.
“For this, it will benefit all,” said Fa’asala.
The bigger dream for the Interim Corporate Society is so one day will become a center of tourism, plus locals in general.
By AGNES MENAOPO
Solomon Star, Honiara
