One Woman’s Success Is Transforming a Community

Every successful journey begins with a single opportunity. For Ruthie Murunani Davanara of Kurai Village in Central Bougainville, that opportunity helped transform a struggling small business into a growing enterprise that is changing lives. Her journey shows how investing in women can strengthen families, create employment, and inspire positive change throughout a community.

Ruthie started her poultry business in 2017 with a small chicken house raising meat birds. As demand grew, she expanded into egg production and gradually built a loyal customer base. Despite her hard work, she faced many challenges. Like many rural women entrepreneurs, she had limited knowledge of record keeping, budgeting, pricing, marketing, and business planning.

In 2023, her business struggled and nearly collapsed.

“I didn’t sustain my SME in 2023. I had to rebuild again,” says Ruthie.

Everything changed when she joined the Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Sapotim Strongpela Meri Project, implemented by World Vision Papua New Guinea with support from the European Union.

Through the training, Ruthie learned practical business skills, including cash flow management, budgeting, record keeping, pricing, and marketing. The knowledge gave her confidence and helped her manage her business more effectively.

“The knowledge and skills I obtained from the training were totally new to me. It inspired me and transformed my business mindset, especially in terms of cash flow and calculations,” says Ruthie.

With her new skills and confidence, Ruthie rebuilt her business and began to grow again.

Today, she manages around 1,000 chickens and supplies eggs and poultry products to customers across Central Bougainville. Her customers include local businesses, roadside vendors, and community members who regularly purchase her products.

As her income increased, Ruthie expanded her investments. She opened a small fuel station and purchased a Toyota Land Cruiser 10-seater, creating additional sources of income for her family.

While she is proud of her business achievements, Ruthie is most proud of the opportunities she creates for other women. She employs local mothers to assist with poultry operations, providing them with a regular income to support their families.

“I employ mothers from the community to help out and pay them every two weeks so they can sustain their livelihoods,” Ruthie explains.

Looking ahead, Ruthie hopes to establish a mini stockfeed production facility and purchase egg-processing equipment. She also plans to buy crops from local women farmers to produce poultry feed, creating more income-generating opportunities within the community.

For Ruthie, success is about more than business growth.

“It is not only me, It has impacted a lot of mothers in the community. I always encourage mothers that when World Vision comes around, it is an opportunity to take part and learn life changing skills,” says Ruthie.

The support she received through World Vision’s Women’s Economic Empowerment Sapotim Strongpela Meri Project has helped her rebuild her business, strengthen her confidence, and create opportunities for others.

Today, she is not only earning an income for her family but also creating jobs, supporting local women, and contributing to the local economy. Her success demonstrates what is possible when women are given the tools, knowledge, and opportunities to thrive.

“I am thankful to World Vision and the European Union for believing in women like me and giving us the opportunity to learn and grow,” says Ruthie.

As Ruthie continues to work towards her goals, her story shows how one woman can make a difference in the lives of many people. With the right support, she turned a difficult setback into an opportunity to grow her small business, support her family, and create opportunities for other women in her community. Her journey demonstrates that when women are given the chance to learn new skills and build their confidence, they can improve their livelihoods, inspire others, and create lasting positive change for their families and communities.