Kiribati is a group of coral atolls, 21 of which are inhabited, situated on the equator in the Pacific Ocean.

There are few natural resources, the atolls are threatened by rising sea levels, and the population has a high rate of unemployment and a low standard of living.

The 15 women members of the group were originally part of an income generating project financed by the Forum Secretariat in Suva, whose members include NZ, Australia and most Pacific nations.

With help from Catherine Spicer, the women have developed products from local shells, light enough to be exported by air because of their remote situation.

(for further information on our groups in the Solomon Islands see Vital issue 17, November 2005)