New vehicle helping mothers to market

Mothers from Matalai LLG in Namatanai, New Ireland, have praised Namatanai MP Walter Schnaubelt for the Mama Market Truck Service.
This has had a positive impact on the lives of Namatanai mothers and families.
Before the service was introduced, a mother would spend an average of K600 per annum on freight alone. Now, she pays just K25 per annum.
This has seen a big rise in the number of mothers taking fresh produce to market.
For some mothers, the market is the only means of income, for others it is a subsidiary income apart from copra and cocoa.
They applauded Schnaubelt for his visionary leadership, which has now empowered them with an income of K200 per week from their market produce.
Schnaubelt is now looking at expanding this service to West Coast Namatanai and West Coast Central.
“When we initiated the programme, we were focused on easing the transport burden for the mothers,” he said. “Little did we know how far this would go.
“I thank the mothers for keeping the end of their bargain by committing their 120 per cent to take ownership of this service.”
Women’s community leader Christine Koltes said: “The Mama Truck has ignited a lot of interest from mothers to venture into selling fresh produce like never before.
“We are now able to cater for children’s needs, meet bills and save money from the money we earn.”