It will definitely be a splashing new year for two youth groups in Nakalou Village in Macuata, Vanua Levu.
This, after the Vodafone ATH Fiji Foundation, gave $2500 each to the Valenimalumu and Tavunisici youth groups.
Foundation executive Ambalika Devi said the assistance would indirectly benefit 78 households.
Valenimalumu and Tavunisici youth groups were beneficiaries of the small income generation grant for bakery, canteen and fish marketing businesses.
Valenimalumu youth group treasurer Iferemi Rakanace said they generated $400 a month through their agriculture projects.
Group president Samuela Uluikadavu said their aspiration was to generate revenue and to utilise local resources to keep the villagers healthy.
Tavunisici youth group president Oliver Damanu said they would focus on the supply and demand of the markets and they would use what was given them wisely.
“We are thankful for the financial assistance, not only in Macuata but Fiji as a whole,” said Mr Peni Rakanace, president of the Provincial Youth Forum of Fiji and president of the Macuata Provincial Youth Council.
“The young people just have to change their mind-sets in terms of the implementation of their projects, if not the assistance will be put to waste,” Mr Rakanace said.
Ms Devi said the foundation, so far, had invested more than $18 million in communities around Fiji where 50 per cent were youth beneficiaries.