It’s been eight months after the earthquake and the handicraft vendors from Pango have resumed selling their local products in Port Vila, just in time for the tourist season .

A member of the Mtakseu Women’s Association, Serah Paton told VBTC News that the women were happy to have a place in town to sell again but she’s asking for creativity.

“Yes, tourists came to buy things, but we were selling the same items as before. We must use different skills and be creative,” she said.

“We all do the same stuffs like sale lavalava.”

Ms Paton encouraged all the mothers to be creative with more local products.

“Our local products are unique and special that can’t be seen anywhere else in the World,” She said.

“The first place to settle in was opposite the X Billabong building, but we noticed the entrance was small. Still, we made small sales as tourists came in. On the first day, over 40 Pango mothers participated,” she said.

VBTC News also contacted the Port Vila municipal town planner, Manses Fadtal, who confirmed that the municipality worked with property owners to allow the mothers to sell again.

The handicraft market area is located near Lopez Adams, and vendors are charged 200 vatu each for security reasons.