The Samoa Housing Corporation (SHC) and the Women in Business Inc. (WIBDI) formed a partnership to boost organic farming in Samoa. This initiative was sparked by the “Samoa Declaration” issued by the attending delegates to the 39th ADFIAP Annual Meetings, themed “DFIs: Building Partnerships for Climate Change Resilience” https://www.adfiap.org/news/adfiap-delegates-39th-annual-meetings-craft-samoa-declaration/ that was held in the Samoan capital, Apia, from May 2-5, 2016.

SHC have selected WIBDI as one of its partners because of its activities on organic farming, among others, which have transformed lives and have created opportunities for its constituents. These opportunities include incorporating traditional and modern practices of income-generating activities with the environment in mind, so that they can produce organic products. As part of the new partnership, SCH has also handed over a donation of $3,000 to WIBDI.

Mdm. Matautia Rula Levi, Chief Executive Officer of SHC, during her visit at the WIBDI office, explained that the “Samoa Declaration” is part of the ‘greening of DFIs’ advocacy in which they incorporate good environmental practices in the work that they do. She added that DFIs deal with policies and procedures as well as in advocating for climate change resiliency.

WIBDI’s Associate Director for Programmes, Mdm. Alberta Vitale, expressed gratitude towards the assistance and partnership with SHC. Mdm. Ademaimalaga Tafunai, WIBDI Eexecutive Director, was also at hand during the donation handover.