Vodafone ATH Fiji Foundation at its 36th board meeting approved $90,000 worth of grants for 23 clubs and schools in the Northern Division.

This was confirmed by the Vodafone ATH Fiji Foundation executive Ambalika Devi yesterday.

The support includes:

• $13,500 for Taveuni Rotary Club to support their eye project and early childhood education;
• $20,000 for Lions Club of Labasa for Non Communicable Diseases (NCD) screening, hearing and eye project;
• Over $40,000 for social venture and entrepreneurial projects for 17 youth and women’s clubs
• $10k for mEducation projects.

“The mEducation project for five schools includes tablets Wi-Fi device and internet connection free for a year,”Ms Devi said.

“The names of the schools are Naleba College, Tabia Sanatan College, Ucunivatu Primary School, Lavena Primary School and Bouma District School.

“The aim of mEducation is to connect students to global world and assist them with their assignments, projects and holistic learning.”

She said the Foundation meets on a quarterly basis to approve grants for the communities that aim to address social economic issues by means of generating revenues.

“Together with disbursement of grants, we now go extra miles, by conducting capacity building, coaching and mentoring sessions including social media, digital financial literacy and positive  use of technology to promote and market products of these youth and women’s clubs,” she explained.

“Grant handover are happening simultaneously with capacity building trainings.

“We also encouraging clubs to share success stories, lessons learnt and challenges.

“So far the Foundation has invested over $19 million towards communities all over Fiji.

“Living the Vodafone way, the Foundation continues to address the needs of the communities,” said Ms Devi.

She added that the income generation projects grants range from piggery, cattle, canteen, bakery, fishing, farming, poultry and many more projects.

Edited by: Selita Bolanavanua

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