Woman finds market at centre

By HELEN TARAWA
Angela Olibirisi Kaevakore, from Solomon Islands, is among many small to medium-sized enterprises engaged by Apec Coordination Authority to sell products at the International Convention Centre.
Kaevakore is a widow who lost her Gulf husband some years back.
She singlehandedly raised her five children through selling food and other products.
She was helped by three of her children who are working to set up her own business — Isles Crafts.
“I often travel back and forth from home in the Solomons,” Kaevakore says.
“I have seen my people make and sell arts and crafts, earrings, necklaces, baskets, laplaps and other products.
“I decided to bring some of those products back to PNG. I started selling at craft markets and at hotels including Holiday Inn and Laguna. Most of the shells and beads I bring from Solomon Islands.
“I only buy the strings and make the earrings and necklaces myself.”
Kaevakore was recently identified by SME facilitator Penny Burns during the Bougainville Day earlier this year when she was selling her products at the event.
“Burns was impressed with my products and told me to email her. That is how I became a part of this Apec SME programme,” she said.