The Vodafone ATH Fiji Foundation, dedicated to uplifting and enriching lives, made a notable contribution at its 5th Multidisciplinary (Pacific) Conference. The event took place at the Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa, where the foundation distributed $141,500 among 14 charitable organizations.
In a reflection of its growth, the foundation has reported significant strides in recent years, now operating 10 impactful programs that support 100 charities annually. Collectively, they have invested an impressive $50 million into social services and fostered strong partnerships with 1,000 charity program partners along with a vast network of collaborators.
Their collaborative efforts have reached over 2,000 charity organizations, benefiting 800 villages and providing support to 400 schools through direct grants amounting to $12 million. Lionel Yee, the foundation’s chairman, emphasized that each grant and partnership is guided by a commitment to uplift and empower those in need.
Ivan Fong, CEO of Amalgamated Telecomm Holdings Group, was the chief guest at the conference this year, themed “Catalysing Vitality: Innovations and Insights for Sustainable Wellbeing.” This theme underscores the importance of integrating technology, legal frameworks, educational strategies, and community engagement to tackle pressing health and societal issues.
Fong outlined the objectives of the conference, focusing on identifying and addressing local and regional community challenges. He also mentioned the goal of enhancing digital connectivity and implementing digital solutions, social media strategies, and emerging AI technologies to improve efficiency among Pacific NGOs.