The Vodafone Festival of the Friendly North, which took place last month, successfully raised $327,000. Festival committee president Zaheen Ibrahim expressed that the seven months of hard work paid off, benefiting organizers, volunteers, and sponsors, particularly the festival committee.
During a thanksgiving event held on Saturday in Labasa, Ibrahim announced this record-breaking amount. The festival was hosted at Subrail Park in Labasa from August 31 to September 7. Notably, Ibrahim is the first female president of the festival committee.
She highlighted the friendships fostered among the committee members and volunteers as key to the festival’s success. “It is a time to appreciate the hard work, resilience, and dedication of our committee members,” Ibrahim stated, acknowledging their efforts in overcoming various challenges during the planning stages.
Special plaques and certificates were awarded to committee members, and Ibrahim expressed gratitude to major sponsors like Vodafone Fiji, along with other corporate supporters, stressing that the festival’s success relied heavily on their contributions. She voiced hope for continued sponsorship in the future.
Chief guest Nilesh Singh, head of recharge and operations at Vodafone, assured that the partnership would remain strong, emphasizing the importance of community outreach. Ibrahim noted that the festival raised performance standards by featuring quality contestants who showcased their talents throughout the week.
She also recognized the families of contestants for their support in encouraging their loved ones to excel beyond their comfort zones. Noteworthy projects funded by the festival include the construction of a washroom facility at Subrail Park ground two and the donation of musical equipment to Nabala Secondary School, with more initiatives planned to start soon.