Last month’s Vodafone Festival of the Friendly North, which took place over a week, raised a total of $327,000.
Zaheen Ibrahim, the festival committee president, expressed that the extensive seven months of planning paid off splendidly for the organizers, volunteers, and sponsors. She announced the record-breaking amount during a thanksgiving event held on Saturday in Labasa. The festival ran from August 31 to September 7 at Subrail Park in Labasa.
As the first female president of the festival committee, Ms. Ibrahim emphasized the importance of the relationships cultivated with volunteers and supporters in ensuring the event’s success.
“This is a moment to recognize the hard work, resilience, and dedication of our committee members,” she stated, acknowledging the challenges they overcame during the preparation process. Special plaques and certificates were awarded to the committee members in recognition of their efforts. Ms. Ibrahim expressed gratitude towards major sponsors, particularly Vodafone Fiji, and other corporate contributors who supported the festival financially.
“Without our sponsors, this festival would not have succeeded,” she reiterated.
Looking ahead, Ms. Ibrahim expressed hope for continued sponsorship in the future. The chief guest, Nilesh Singh, Vodafone’s head of recharge and operations, confirmed their commitment to maintaining the partnership, citing the importance of community outreach.
Additionally, Ms. Ibrahim noted the improvements made during the festival, highlighting the selection of quality contestants who showcased their talents throughout the week. She also acknowledged the contestants’ families for their motivational support.
Some of the projects funded by the festival’s charity include the construction of a washroom facility at Subrail Park ground two, and a set of musical equipment donated to Nabala Secondary School. Further projects are set to commence soon.