Mamma’s Laef marks 10th Anniversary, wins Sustainability Award

October 6, 2025 9:51 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook

Soon after Tropical Cyclone (TC) Pam hit Vanuatu on March 13, 2015, Mary and Jack Kalsrap, with the support of their New Zealand-based friend, began to question the types of aid being delivered to affected women and girls. A seed was planted that has grown over 10 years into Mamma’s Laef Vanuatu, a small social enterprise operating in Pango village.

2025 marks a milestone for Mamma’s Laef Vanuatu, which produces a wide range of reusable personal hygiene products, as they celebrate a decade of dedication, resilience, and innovation.

Over that time, they have faced numerous challenges affecting production, delivery, and access to communities. Cyclones have required flexibility in management and operations, while the global impacts of COVID-19 added new obstacles to daily business. The Kalsraps remained committed despite the difficulties faced by many businesses due to border closures.

“Many of the families around us lost incomes because of the border closures. It was important to us to provide regular incomes to our staff,” Mary Kalsrap said. “At one point, we estimated that our small enterprise was supporting 53 people within our community, at a time when many businesses could not operate.”

“Logistics were difficult in early 2020 after TC Harold hit northern Vanuatu and borders had closed. We needed to import raw materials from New Zealand to continue urgent production for Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) providing aid in SANMA,” Jack Kalsrap reflected.

Despite these challenges, their commitment has remained focused on developing solutions that meet immediate needs and ensure long-term sustainability. One particular challenge was raising awareness about the benefits of reusable hygiene products. Their research and engagement have demonstrated clear economic and environmental advantages, gradually encouraging a shift toward reusable practices and a culture of sustainability.

Recently awarded the 2025 Vanuatu Made Sustainability Award, Mamma’s Laef received recognition for their determination and innovative approach in providing local solutions to problems that are often not openly discussed.

Mary and Jack said they are grateful for the opportunities the enterprise has brought them personally and hope to continue growing to support women and girls across the Pacific.

Co-founder Belinda Roselli said, “We are grateful to all who have shown interest in the development of Mamma’s Laef and contributed in some way. As we reflect on our progress, we are reminded not only of the resilience and strength of the communities we serve but also of how much work remains to be done.”