Three women who have been working to help build the new Te Puke voyaging canoe at Taumako, are volunteering to go to Reef Islands to take a training in Virgin Coconut Oil production. They volunteer because if Taumako can establish a Virgin Coconut Oil business it will give support to the families who spend their energy and time building canoes and teaching young people to sail them. Taumako has a lot of coconuts and there is a great demand for Virgin Coco Oil. If 3 women can get trained in the coming month or two, Oceanswatch plans to bring all the equipment needed to Taumako next October.
The 1 week training and accommodations for the three women is promised by Oceanswatch to be donated free of charge. This is a great opportunity for the community, for the women, and for the voyagers of Taumako to get a sustainable income going that will support the voyaging school.
The cost of transport from Taumako to Fenualoa and return to Taumako is about $2,000 USD – for OBM fuel, oil, driver, and canoe charter. The daily cost of food for each women will be $35. For 3 women for 7 days this totals $735. The cost of radio communications/coordination for travel will be $60. The total we need to make this happen is $2,795. If you’d like to help, please visit wpvaka.wpengine.com/support/donations.