BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Ruth Mae describes herself as a homegirl as she spends most of her time at her home village in Central Kwara’ae, Malaita Province.
Speaking to Environment media, she revealed that she never attended any formal education.
“I did not attend school but I have my two sons attending school. Kevin doing grade five while Alton attending kindergarten at Mercy Primary school, that is what matters,” She pointed out.
“It is often a compulsory requirement for us women and girls going gardening with our mothers, or help out in household chores.
Before Ruth and her husband have their two sons, she ventured into Supsup garden as a source of food for the family and also a source for generating income.
“Now I plant lettuce cabbage, previously I planted slippery cabbage, then cucumber and tomatoes and usually sold them at the Honiara Central Market.
She said that she usually gain up to $700 per day before the COVID19 pandemic.
“Money is very difficult to come by at this time. Before the COVID19, I can earn $600-700 per day from sales in a week.
“Now, I get $150 to 200 dollars per day and 300 – 400 per week from my sales at the Honiara Central Market.
Ruth’s husband, who was a former agriculture student at the then College of Higher Education (SICHE now SINU) taught Ruth the many skillful ideas on how to improve the quality of her supsup garden.
“My son’s when they come back from school always helped to water the plants.
“Due to less space, I used to rotate between what vegetable I prefer to plant, like for now I plant lettuce cabbage before that I planted, Slippery Cabbage and Tomatoes.
“Sometimes I have to use fertilizer against pests and insects that are harmful or will cause harm to the plants,” she said.
Without attending school, Ruth told environment media Wednesday this week that the commitment to support her two sons is her priority and pride.
“Both of them are very helpful,” she said with a smile.
“Big share of whatever earning I have is prioritized for their school financial needs and requirements.”
