In a bid to empower youths in the Nadroga/Navosa province, the Vodafone ATH Fiji Foundation handed a cheque of $42,000 during the Vodafone Coral Coast Carnival in Sigatoka last Saturday.

An improvement from last year when foundation donated $35,800 for 15 community based clubs.

Foundation executive Ambalika Devi said: “As a follow on from last year, the foundation continued to reach Nadroga/Navosa province building capacities of youth and women’s club to access grants for social entrepreneurship and income generation.”

She said the aim of the programme was to share information and knowledge on successes from other provinces.

“As a lead on, we saw an influx of proposals from Nadroga/Navosa province for income generation and empowerment activities for women and youth,” Ms Devi said.

“The board managed to approve another grant of $42,000 for 18 youth and women’s clubs.

“We work closely with Nadroga/Navosa Provincial Council and relevant stakeholders to ensure proper monitoring and evaluation of projects.

“The support will be pushed towards villages within tikina Nadrau, Draiba, NaKorovou, Komave, Nasikawa and Korolevu-i-wai. We received proposals from these clubs requesting for support. The projects range from canteen, farming, catering, fishing, Internet Cafe, etc.

“Our handover of grants now sees building capacities and connecting clubs to microfinance services too.

“Our network on the ground with charities are forever evolving and complementing our vision for stronger and a connected vanua.”

Since the Vodafone ATH Fiji Foundation’s inception in 2004, it has contributed over $18 million towards community projects.

Minister for Local Government Praveen Kumar, Sigatoka Town Council and Nadroga Navosa Provincial Council youth Co-ordinator Selita Saula thanked the foundation for the boost.

Edited by Rusiate Mataika

Feedback:  waisean@fijisun.com.fj