By RODRICK DESURI
Auki
Like many rural villages in Malaita Province, Kiu village has been badly affected by economic challenges.
However, with resilience and headstrong determination by community members to flourish, Kiu continues to expand its cash flow position, becoming stronger.
Situated between two main rivers in West Are’are, the Siwa River marks the southern border of East and West Are’are, while the Wairaha River forms the northern border with West Kwaio and West Are’are. The total population of Kiu village is about 1,000 people.
The selling of copra, cocoa, virgin oil, a weekly vessel route to their location, and remittances from their Australia-based seasonal workers is what helps to bring new cash into the village and strengthen cash flow in the community.
The cash flow in Kiu village can be traced each day by how often people make payment transactions for whatever sort of food is sold, which can be finished in just a few hours.
A village elder, a pastor, and former police officer, Steven Nouka, stressed that strong cash flow in Kiu village is a blessing for them.
He stated that every day is the same; people pay for food in the market, in the canteens, for household tools and equipment, and even for labor.
“It’s like a blessing for us, the people of Kiu. We don’t know how we get money, but I can see through how people buy food and other stuff is ridiculous. Every day, people make payment transactions for food in the local markets and in the stores,” he said.
The same sentiment was also echoed by 70-year-old David Rikihanua, a former planner and canteen owner in Kiu.
His experience of earning $1,000 per day is the reason behind his statement that Kiu has a strong cash flow.
He continued that the lowest he can earn is $400 to $500 per day.
“All I can say is that Kiu village has a strong cash flow.
“This is because, as the owner of the canteen here, I have experienced that I can earn $1,000 per day, and $400 to $500 on my bad luck days. This means that I might open just for half a day,” he said with a smile.
When asked what commodities and other items can bring cash into their village, he said that copra, cocoa, and marketing during the weekly vessels’ stopover at Kiu port brings in new cash.
“I am a copra buyer, and I usually buy between $10,000 and $20,000 worth of it. So, I know our people here have more money.
“In addition to that, we have the weekly route of vessels like the Express Pelican. It is time for our people to prepare their food and other sellable items.
“Not only the Express Pelican, but we also have Gulatatae and Taimareho,” he said.
A young female, Stalla also relies on the shipping schedules to earn income for her family, especially when people come over from ships.
Her produce is usually sold out when ships come to Kiu port; helping her to earn money and pay for essentials for her family.
“During times when ships stop over here, it is the only time that we can sell our produce and earn income to support our families. So, we are very happy to earn income every week. Any food, like cake and pudding, will be paid for,” she said.
Most villagers also voiced that their village is not like other rural communities where market products are left unsold.
*Reporting for this story was supported by Pacific Media Assistance Scheme (PACMAS)
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