In celebration of its 16th anniversary, Digicel Fiji recently donated a total of $16,000 to support three community projects as part of its 16th Birthday Initiative Program. The beneficiaries include the Mokani Village Youth Club from Tailevu, the Karoko Village Youth Club from Vanualevu, and the Soqosoqo Vaka-Marama for Navosa-Nadroga in the West.
This year, Digicel Fiji has adopted a new selection process, requiring communities to submit proposals for their projects, which were then evaluated based on specific criteria. Previously, the company had distributed over $50,000 among ten communities, but due to increased project costs, they decided to allocate a larger sum to fewer projects this time.
Farid Mohammed, CEO of Digicel Fiji, explained that the decision to divide the grant among three regions—Central Eastern, Northern, and Western—ensures equitable support across the country. The idea of giving $16,000 was also a symbolic gesture in line with their milestone celebration.
Joeli Vueti, an advisor for the Mokani Youth Club, expressed that this initiative serves as an early Christmas gift for their community. The funds will be used to install solar lights, which are crucial for children studying at night and for women traveling to markets in the early morning hours.
To ensure the effective utilization of these funds, Digicel Fiji plans to follow up with the awarded villages regarding the impact of the grants.
This initiative not only highlights Digicel Fiji’s commitment to community development but also demonstrates the positive impact of targeted support in addressing specific local needs. As the company celebrates its anniversary, it reinforces the importance of giving back and fostering sustainable growth in the communities it serves.
Overall, the future looks bright as these projects are anticipated to enhance the quality of life in the supported villages, ultimately fostering greater community cohesion and development.
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