To mark its 16th anniversary, Digicel Fiji has awarded $16,000 to three local projects in what they are calling their 16th Birthday Initiative Program. Beneficiaries include the Mokani Village Youth Club from Tailevu, the Karoko Village Youth Club from Vanualevu, and the Soqosoqo Vaka-Marama for Navosa-Nadroga, all of which will utilize the funds for developmental projects in their villages.
In a shift from their previous approach, Digicel Fiji invited these community groups to submit proposals for funding, assessing applications based on specific criteria. Last year, the company distributed over $50,000 among ten communities, giving each $5,000. However, due to increasing project costs, they opted for a more focused grant distribution this time.
Digicel Fiji’s CEO, Farid Mohammed, noted that this initiative reflects the company’s vision to support various regions across the country. “We decided to break the grant into three regions—the Central Eastern, Northern, and Western Divisions—to ensure equitable support throughout Fiji,” he explained. The choice to donate $16,000 was directly tied to their milestone anniversary.
Advisor for the Mokani Youth Club, Joeli Vueti, expressed that this initiative feels like an early Christmas gift for their community. He emphasized the project’s significance, mentioning how it will provide solar lights that allow children to study at night and offer women safety through better visibility while commuting to market in the early hours.
To ensure the funds are used appropriately, Digicel Fiji plans to follow up with the villages regarding the implementation and impact of their projects.
This initiative not only supports local communities but also highlights the importance of investment in sustainable development that enriches lives in meaningful ways. As Digicel Fiji strengthens its commitment to community engagement, it sets a hopeful example for corporate responsibility.
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