Seven widowed women from the Kukum Seventh-day Adventist Church in Honiara, Solomon Islands, have joined ADRA’s cocoa project team, assisting with the grading and sorting of cocoa beans.

The women initially approached ADRA to express interest in the savings programs the agency often facilitates in local communities. Because they are not cocoa farmers, ADRA invited them to support the cocoa grading process while plans to implement the savings program are being finalized.

They began work on December 4, 2025, at ADRA’s cocoa storage and drying facilities in Kukum, where staff guided them through each stage of grading and sorting.

According to Patrick Mesia, project manager for the Sustainable Economic and Agricultural Solutions (SEAS) Project, the women are expected to work with the team for one to two weeks.

For the widows, the opportunity offers both short-term income and practical, transferable skills.

“I would like to thank ADRA for providing this opportunity for me as a widow to come and help with cocoa grading and sorting,” said 72-year-old Secily Valalea. “I am happy because this will help me earn a small income and learn how to grade and sort cocoa beans.”

Another participant, Nellie Jamakana, shared similar gratitude. “Thank you ADRA for this small opportunity. Since I am a babysitter, I am happy to come and help here. As an older woman, I am glad to spend a few weeks assisting with this cocoa project,” she said.

Through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade-funded SEAS Project, ADRA continues to support marginalized cocoa farmers, including women and people with visible and non-visible disabilities, by improving access to agricultural resources, training, and market opportunities, and by promoting greater social inclusion and economic independence.

The original article was published on the South Pacific Division news site, Adventist Record.