The Vodafone Festival of the Friendly North, held last month, successfully raised $327,000, according to festival committee president Zaheen Ibrahim. At a thanksgiving event in Labasa, Ms. Ibrahim expressed gratitude for the seven months of preparation that contributed to the festival’s success, acknowledging the efforts of organizers, volunteers, and sponsors.
The festival took place at Subrail Park in Labasa from August 31 to September 7. Ms. Ibrahim, who is the first female president of the festival committee, emphasized the importance of the relationships built with volunteers, which were key to the festival’s achievements.
“It is a time to appreciate the hard work, resilience, and dedication of our committee members,” Ms. Ibrahim stated. She highlighted the challenges faced during the preparation and praised the guests for their contributions.
During the program, special plaques and certificates were awarded to committee members, with Ms. Ibrahim recognizing major sponsors, including Vodafone Fiji, and other corporate supporters who helped make the festival possible. She expressed the hope that such sponsorship would continue in the future.
Nilesh Singh, head of recharge and operations at Vodafone, affirmed the company’s commitment to maintaining its partnership, highlighting the importance of community outreach.
Ms. Ibrahim noted the festival’s success in raising performance standards by selecting quality contestants who showcased their skills throughout the week. She also praised the families of the contestants for inspiring them to excel.
Projects funded by the festival’s charity efforts include the construction of washroom facilities at Subrail Park and the donation of musical equipment to Nabala Secondary School, with more initiatives planned for the future.