In the quiet village of Sola, Vanua Lava, in the Torba Province of Vanuatu, Lady Irish Mumeg dreamed of building something that would not only sustain her family but also uplift her community.
That dream took shape as Lemax Retail Shop, a small but vibrant business that quickly became more than just a place to buy goods.
From the beginning, Lady Irish made a deliberate choice: her shop would be a space where women could thrive. She employed two women, giving them steady income and a stronger voice in community development. The shelves of Lemax Retail Shop carried locally made items, value-added products crafted by women, and essential imported goods. Each product told a story of resilience and creativity.
But Lady Irish saw another need. In Torba Province, reliable lighting was scarce. Families relied on dim kerosene lamps or smoky fires, making evenings difficult and unsafe. Children struggled to study at night, and mothers moved cautiously through dark homes. Lady Irish knew that affordable solar lights could change this reality.
With support from the Business Link Pacific Small Grant Facility, she invested in solar lights and small equipment to expand her offerings. The impact was immediate. Customers from surrounding villages began visiting the shop, drawn by the promise of durable, affordable lighting. Revenue grew, but more importantly, the shop became a beacon of hope.
One mother from Vetimboso shared how the solar light changed her family’s life. Her children can now study comfortably at night without struggling under dim lamps, and she feels safer moving around her home after dark. Her story reflects the broader impact of Lemax Retail Shop – bringing light, opportunity, and dignity to rural households.
Today, Lemax Retail Shop is more than a business. It is a symbol of how women-led businesses can transform communities. With every solar lamp sold, Lady Irish is proving that small businesses can drive meaningful community change.
If you are a Pacific based MSME owner looking to grow your business, improve your systems, or strengthen your resilience, reach out to BLP today. BLP can facilitate access to business advisory services and financial support.
Start your journey with BLP through our free online tools. You can self-assess your business needs with these tools that have been developed to help small- and medium-sized businesses diagnose areas that an advisor could improve.
The first step can be the online Business Health Check. You can also check your business’s resilience to respond to crises or climate change challenges on the Business Continuity Planner and the Climate Action Sensor.
If you prefer to meet a local BLP representative in person to discuss your business, get in touch with our local partners to arrange a face-to-face Diagnostic.