Vodafone ATH Fiji Foundation backs Nalovo school borehole project
Nalovo Sangam School head Rajnesh Prasad said the donation would allow work on the project to begin.
Tuesday 21 July 2026 | 15:00
Inspector Rajnesh Prakash and Nalovo Sangam School head Rajnesh Kumar in Nadi.
Photo: Waisea Nasokia.
Nalovo Sangam School in Nadroga has received a $2,500 grant from the Vodafone ATH Fiji Foundation to help protect its borehole, the school's main source of water since 1969.
The grant will help fund the construction of a protective wall around the school's borehole, which has supplied water to the school for decades.
Nalovo Sangam School head Rajnesh Prasad said the donation would allow work on the project to begin.
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"The ATH Foundation has given us this donation, and it will really help with our borehole project," Mr Prasad said.
"Our school has relied on a borehole since 1969. It is located about one kilometre from the school."
He said the project was expected to cost about $8,000.
"We have already obtained quotations, and this contribution will help us begin work on the borehole wall project," he said.
Mr Prasad, who joined the school this year, said the school also needed a new 5000-litre plastic water tank because the existing one was leaking.
"I am grateful that the ATH Foundation is also looking at helping us with our other needs," he said.
Located about three kilometres from the main road, the school continues to face water supply challenges.
Although the Water Authority of Fiji periodically delivers water to fill the school's tanks, Mr Prasad said the community still struggled with unreliable supplies.
"Most of our students are affected because there is no reliable water supply in Nalovo. The boreholes in the area often dry up during the dry season," Mr Prasad said.
"We depend on rainwater for flushing toilets, so improving our drinking water supply is very important."
The school was one of eight organisations presented with grants at Tokatoka Resort in Nadi yesterday.
Vodafone ATH Fiji Foundation chief executive officer Ambalika Kutty said the foundation had expanded significantly since it was established.
"Innovation has consistently been at the forefront of our work, with the Foundation identifying emerging challenges, designing appropriate interventions and working with stakeholders to deliver meaningful solutions," Ms Kutty said.
She said a total of $39,000 would be distributed this week in Nadi.
Nadroga/Navosa Soqosoqo Vakamarama executive Sainimere Tabualevu said safe drinking water was essential for schools.
