Sewing entrepreneur, mother and grandmother Seini Mafile’o (73) won the SPBD Business Woman of the Year Award 2016 on Friday 16 September for improving her family sewing business, using the South Pacific Business Development microfinance program.

Seini from Kolomotu’a was not able to attend in person, but her son Tevita Mafile'o who helps her sew received the trophy from Crown Princess Sinaitakala Tuku’aho and SPBD Founder and President Greg Casagrande.

Mother of six children, Seini started sewing to help provide for her family. Her late husband was a farmer. 

She started taking out small loans from SPBD and was able to expand and buy an electric sewing machine, a variety of fabrics and materials for her sewing helped by her son. Now she sews puletaha for women, as well as girls and men's attire that are being sold at Talamahu Market in Nuku'alofa.

Seini was also able to build a new house for her family.

First runner up went to Fapiola ‘Epenisa of Ha'akame who makes Tongan ta'ovala, while running a DJ service and internet cafe.

Sofia Lauaki from Ma'ufanga who runs a small sewing business, was second runner up.

Casagrande also awarded other awards, including outstanding individual saver, outstanding center financial education facilitator, outstanding center of the year and outstanding center chief.

SPBD was first launched in Tonga in 2009.

"I am very proud to say over this time we have stayed true to our mission by providing the women of Tonga with meaningful economic opportunity. We have provided our micro-entrepreneurs with training, unsecured credit and ongoing guidance to help them start and expand small income generating businesses."