By Julie Badui Owa – EMTV News, Lae
Lina Singu is a single mother from East Sepik province. Born to a family of artists specialized in arts and crafts, Lina is a local business woman who ventured from selling her artwork through local markets into the international arena now.
Lina was among women who showcased their business today during the APEC Regional Women’s Expo in Lae. Lina has been doing handcrafts for more than 40 years and her products are sold everywhere in the country and overseas. In a month, Lina earns a total of K30,000 from her sales overseas. Her handcrafts include the famous Wosera Bilas Bilum and the Sepik Baskets, all created by Lina and sold during exhibitions and cultural shows in the country.
For basket sales alone, Lina earns K150 a day. Seeing the revenue generated from the business, Lina has extended her market reach from local to overseas. She is the only woman among the local men in East Sepik that sells to international countries.
Her story is one of many inspiring stories of women in business. Lina had left school after completing Grade 6 several years back. At the age of 12, Lina started performing her skills in handcraft, and today, she is an expert mastering the skill.
Today, she provides for her son through this business. Her 29-year-old son Eddie Bumalea believes his mother has the potential to excel in her skills. Lina says her son was the reason she strived to sustain their living when Eddie’s father left 27 years ago.
Her products were showcased today and judged to be qualified for showcasing during the APEC Summit in November.
