Social Innovation Fiji (SIF) donated library books to the village of Vitogo in Lautoka on Monday. This initiative involves a group of Japanese university and high school students who are currently based in Lautoka and are dedicated to addressing various social issues within local communities.
According to the foundation’s director, Akifumi Kawakami, the organization is focused on finding innovative solutions to societal problems, with a current emphasis on an environmental program aimed at reducing waste. Mr. Kawakami mentioned that the donation was spearheaded by one of the students who sourced second-hand books for the village’s library.
The initiative aims to foster a book exchange system where villagers can trade books they have already read for new ones. Mr. Kawakami highlighted the importance of this approach in preventing the disposal of books as waste, thereby promoting recycling.
Villager Reijieli Nasilasila expressed appreciation for the donation, noting that the books would serve as an invaluable resource for local children’s education.