January 12th, 2026
Vodafone ATH Foundation has marked a historic milestone by becoming the first donor following the official recognition of Provincial Councils as Training and Educational Institutes by the Higher Education Commission of Fiji. The $32,000 grant represents a transformative investment in Fiji's healthcare future and community resilience.
The funding will establish Certificate III in Community Health programs across 14 provinces and island councils throughout Fiji, training the next generation of Community Health Champions. This initiative directly addresses the urgent rise in HIV cases and substance abuse challenges threatening communities across the Pacific nation.
Transforming Communities Through Education
The Community Health Champions program equips young Fijians with practical skills to serve as frontline health ambassadors in their villages. Graduates will return to their communities in uniform, serving as visible role models and trusted health advocates who bridge traditional Pacific practices with modern medical approaches.
A critical component of the training focuses on HIV awareness, identification, and support. Students learn to compassionately engage with individuals living with HIV, transforming them into HIV champions who educate others and combat stigma. This peer-to-peer approach creates sustainable community-led solutions to one of Fiji's most pressing health challenges.
Partnership Synergy: Government, Communities, and Foundations Unite
This historic grant exemplifies the power of collaborative action. The Vodafone ATH Foundation worked closely with the Ministry of Health & Medical Services - Fiji and the Higher Education Commission - Fiji to ensure the program meets national health priorities and educational standards.
By investing in community-led health education, the Foundation's #VanuaConnect, #PacificConnect, and #GlobalConnect initiatives demonstrate how targeted funding can create multiplier effects—protecting lives, strengthening families, and safeguarding Fiji's future workforce and resources.
From Grant to Movement
Foundation representatives emphasized that this $32,000 investment is not charity but nation-building. Each dollar plants seeds for healthier communities and empowered youth who will shape Fiji and the broader Pacific region's future.
The grant opens doors for additional partners to join this transformative healthcare movement. Interested individuals can enroll in Certificate III Community Health programs online at www.apmt.com.fj.
This initiative aligns with the Vodafone ATH Fiji Foundation's Pacific First Policy approach, emphasizing community-led development, healthcare access, and youth empowerment as cornerstones of sustainable Pacific development.
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