Three youth groups and two women’s clubs in the  Nasikawa District in Nadroga, received financial assistance on Monday.

Vodafone ATH Fiji Foundation handed over a cheque of $12,500 to be shared by the groups and the clubs to help in their small businesses.

Provincial Women’s interest officer and personal assistant to the Roko Tui Nadroga-Navosa, Mere Tonono said the money would be shared by the Matokana Women’s Club, Waibasaga Women Navatoga Youth Group, Naviarayaki Youth Group, Korovou Christ Ambassadors Youth Club.

They received $2500 each.

“They run businesses like canteens, piggery and grass cutting. These are their income generation projects,” Ms Tonono said.

“Such help hardly reaches remote areas, hence this support will provide opportunities for women and youths to aspire in business development.”

Youth co-ordinator Nadroga-Navosa, Kinivuwai Naba, said youths would now develop their passion to be business owners.

“It will drive them to execute projects that are successful. We will continue to monitor and evaluate the projects to make sure they are sustainable.”

Waibasaga Women leader Sereana Mole said: “We will work closely with the youth groups and the provincial office to ensure success. We will ask for help where needed like financial literacy and business training.”

Vodafone ATH Foundation executive Ambalika Devi said: “Our focus is to fast track women and youth clubs’ business initiatives by sharing challenges and lessons.”

Ms Devi said since its inception in 2004, the Foundation had made a direct social investment of $15 million into the Fijian community and about $115,000 had been used in the Nadroga-Navosa Province.