Saturday 9th July, 2022
Vodafone Fiji ATH Foundation handed over grants to three income-generating projects in the Western Division today.
Vodafone ATH Foundation’s Director Adriu Vakarau, whilst doing the handover said that “meeting the vision of creating smarter and connected communities, we also ensure that we meet the priority needs of the communities”.
“Since inception in 2004, our Foundation has made $30 million in social investment and continues to make a world of difference through our candidates and projects. Our Passion for the Vanua is reflected through our philanthropic arm and it has been at the core of what we do”, said Vakarau.Three youth and women groups were handed-over grants; Hakwa Foundation, Narukusara and Nairara Youth Clubs.
“The Hakwa Foundation was established through continuous support and mentoring services provided by Vodafone ATH Fiji Foundation, with various partner stakeholders recognising the needs of the community and providing support to the vulnerable”, said World of Difference Candidate Selita Donu.
“We are thankful to Vodafone ATH Fiji Foundation for providing us with the $10,000 grant. This year we will be focusing on climate change issues and their mitigation. We are using this grant to support women's groups along the coastal areas of Nadroga Navosa province for community resilience. The purpose of this project is to reduce the impact of climate change, adapt resilient practices, and raise the level of awareness of thematic areas in our communities. In addition, there are plans to develop an operational mechanism and to set up an MClimate@Save Fiji Community Charity Fund. This will allow communities in Fiji to assume full responsibility for leading management, conservation and mitigation efforts, said Donu.
Vodafone Fiji ATH Foundation’s Executive Ambalika Devi said that “our focus in the last five years has been on entrepreneurial activities, income and revenue generation projects for the needy in the communities and involving more women and youth groups. We have had 500 women and youth groups around Fiji that have benefitted from these grants.
Tevita Nakaba, Youth Officer for Ra Province, also acknowledged Vodafone ATH Fiji Foundation for its support towards the women's and youth clubs. "With the help of the Foundation, we have reached over 50 youth clubs and women's clubs in the last 10 years. Today's grants to the two youth clubs, Narukusara and Nairara will help the clubs engage in income-generating projects in the community. We are forever indebted and grateful to Vodafone ATH Fiji Foundation for always supporting projects that help communities generate revenue. Projects such as this help diversify these projects and enhance knowledge competence and passion in our communities.
Devi added that “our aspiration has always been to identify groups, enhance their capacities, empower them and allow them to identify projects and access grants that can help communities address their other problems. Throughout the years, we have supported a range of projects ranging from digitalizing charities to providing water, sanitation, and hygiene. We also funded passionate volunteers to do community work, and projects focused on health, environment, education, and the Mobile for Good and Beyond Funder programs.
"Our Foundation focuses on doing social good in our communities, which enriches the lives of our communities. Our focus for this year is on upskilling youths through self-employment and entrepreneurial activities, Climate Change resilience, and technology rollout for communities and schools. We will continue to empower women, children and youths and will continue to ensure project implementations that foster income generation, education and awareness, said Devi.
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| Media Relations | Head of E-Commerce |
| fozia.muktar@vodafone.com.fj | shailendra.prasad@vodafone.com.fj |
