Abstract:
The recommended strategies and action plans under the Traditional Money Banks project were compiled to address the followings:
1. Survey and documentation of the historical and sacred sites of Rowa
2. Assess the stock level of shells (conus musicus Hwass (K Huffman) and viroroconus ebraeus (Linne) used in som (shell money) production
3. A workshop to discuss the future of Rowa and som culture with the landowners, Torba provincial council and local authorities with the view to reactivate som culture in the Torba Province, which covers the Banks and Torres group of islands.
4. Establishment of Rural Savings facilities in rural communities in collaboration with the Vanuatu Credit Union League.
Activities carried out to date:
1. A survey of Rowa has been completed by Andrew Hoffman and the report is available. This report still requires validation and acceptance by the Rowa islanders. A Rowa islander workshop is to be organised to finalise this issue.
2. Plans are underway to do the assessment of stock levels of shells used to produce som shell money, hopefully to be completed by early next year 2006.
3. A meeting of Rowa islanders has been convened in Lesereplag village. Divers Bay in Ureparapara to develop a common understanding and a Working Agreement to approach future development on the island including the revival of som culture. Rowa was the centre for som production. Resulting from this, a Memorandum Agreement Framework was signed by the representatives of Rowa islanders from Leali, lesereplag on Ureparapara, Vatop and Vetiboso on Vanualava and Motalava. An agreement was reached with the Office of Tourism within the Torba provincial Council in collaboration with the Department of fisheries and other stakeholders, to developing ecotourism and conservation initiatives for the island. There are also plans to establish kastom training centre to teach their traditional skills in canoes crafts and sailing, fishing etc.
Other activities include building traditional canoes, resettlement on Rowa, building a kastom Nakamal at Divers Bay, promotion of som culture, building a new water supply and establishing a stock of mangroves on the island. An idea to organize a traditional sailing canoe race was suggested.
4. An awareness was made on the importance of setting up rural savings facilities, a means to encourage rural communities who do not have access to banking services to do their cash savings. Indications of interests have come from communities of Divers Bay ( Lehali & Lesereplag) and Motalava. Follow up activities are being made by the Vanuatu Credit Union League to establish the rural savings clubs at least by early 2006. Meanwhile, interests are booming right through out Torba province including the Torba Provincial Government Council.
Rural Savings Clubs have the following features:
1. Provides for Collective/ Community Savings
2. Easy to set up procedures, management and costs involve
3. Rural community ownership and managed
4. Costs of savings in cheaper and effective
5. Accessibility
