In celebration of its 16th anniversary, Digicel Fiji has launched a special initiative by providing a total of $16,000 to three community projects. The recipients include the Mokani Village Youth Club from Tailevu, the Karoko Village Youth Club from Vanualevu, and the Soqosoqo Vaka-Marama for Navosa-Nadroga. These funds are allocated to support various development projects within their respective villages.
This year, Digicel Fiji has adopted a new method for selecting beneficiaries. The communities were required to apply and present their project proposals, which were then evaluated based on specific criteria. In the past, the company distributed over $50,000 to ten communities, but due to increasing project costs, they decided to concentrate their efforts on fewer projects this year.
CEO Farid Mohammed noted that this change was also a way of ensuring equal support across different regions of Fiji, breaking down the grants into three divisions: Central Eastern, Northern, and Western. The $16,000 grant amount symbolically represents their 16 years of operation.
Advisor for the Mokani Youth Club, Joeli Vueti, expressed gratitude for the initiative, describing it as an early Christmas gift for the community. The project will address essential needs, such as providing solar lights for children to study or for women traveling early to market.
To ensure accountability and the effective use of funds, Digicel Fiji will be following up with the recipient villages regarding their projects moving forward.
This initiative not only highlights Digicel Fiji’s commitment to supporting local communities but also serves as an inspiration for other organizations to engage with and uplift the communities they serve.
Overall, the strategic focus on fewer projects with greater impact, as well as the commitment to community feedback and accountability, signifies a positive direction for corporate social responsibility in the region.
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