Retired public servants venture into catering

By JACKLYN SIRIAS
A COUPLE in Maprik, East Sepik, has ventured into the catering business after retiring as public servants.
Luwina Kwamillon and husband, David, are one of 39 registered small to medium enterprise owners in Maprik.
They have been successfully operating a number of small businesses including trade store, food bar and catering services.
“Our business began in 2009 when my wife decided to retire as a registered nurse with the Health Department and me as an agricultural scientist with the Department of Agriculture,” David said.
“We decided to do something for ourselves when we both left our jobs so we began these businesses.”
Luwina said she had a passion for cooking.
“I attended cooking schools in Port Moresby like Limana Vocational and TAFE College to get certified as a chef,” she said.
Luwina said Maprik was a fast-growing town in terms of population and economic development.
“Currently, the town is experiencing a boom in vanilla, where farmers are selling their beans at K1200 per kilogram to buyers,” she said.
Ludwina said these attracted a lot of people into the town.
The Kwamillon’s business is located at the corner of Oelli and Miller streets in Maprik.
They offer local cuisine at affordable prices.
The couple employ seven of their own relatives whom they themselves had sponsored to attain qualifications in tourism and hospitality, business administration and customer service.
They plan to build a guest house as well.