She said ongoing volcanic activity, particularly acid rain, has severely affected gardens and food crops, making it difficult for families to earn income through agriculture.

“Many of our crops have been damaged, and people are now relying on pandanus leaves to earn money,” Woi said.

She explained that women collect pandanus leaves from nearby areas before processing them through a lengthy preparation process. The green leaves are first dried over a fire, then left to dry under the sun before being woven into various products.

“We make baskets, mats, decorations, and bags, which we sell on the island or send to Santo and Port Vila for sale,” she said.

Woi said pandanus weaving has become one of the main sources of income for many mothers, who often work together to produce goods for the market. Fathers and children also assist by collecting materials and helping with production, allowing families to complete items more efficiently.

She mentioned that kava, once a major source of income for many households, has also been affected by volcanic ash and acid rain, with many plants drying out or failing to produce healthy crops.

Copra production has also declined as farmers have stopped producing due to low prices and labour demands.

“People feel that the return is too low for the amount of work required to make copra,” she said. As a result, many families have shifted their focus to weaving pandanus products, which continue to provide an important source of income despite ongoing challenges on the island.

Another weaver, Davina Boe, said producing a single mat takes considerable time and effort.

She said that when women work together, they can complete one mat in a day. However, when working alone, it can take two to three days.

Boe said an individual weaver can usually complete two to three mats per week, depending on size and design.

She said income from woven products helps families meet daily needs while adapting to the ongoing impacts of volcanic activity on Ambae.

SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST