Last month’s Vodafone Festival of the Friendly North raised $327,000 during its week-long event. Zaheen Ibrahim, president of the festival committee, stated that seven months of preparation proved worthwhile for the organizers, volunteers, and sponsors, particularly the committee itself.
Ibrahim revealed the record fundraising amount at a thanksgiving event held in Labasa on Saturday. The festival took place at Subrail Park in Labasa from August 31 to September 7. Notably, she is the first woman to serve as president of the festival committee.
She highlighted the significant relationships formed with volunteers and other contributors as key to the festival’s success. “It is a time to appreciate the hard work, resilience, and dedication of our committee members,” Ibrahim noted. She commended the committee for overcoming various challenges during the preparation stages and acknowledged their contributions.
During the event, special plaques and certificates were awarded to committee members. Ibrahim expressed gratitude towards the major sponsor, Vodafone Fiji, and other corporate entities that financially supported the festival’s operations, stating, “Without our sponsors, this festival would not have been successful.”
Ibrahim expressed hope for continued sponsorship in future events. Nilesh Singh, Vodafone’s head of recharge and operations, confirmed the company’s commitment to maintaining the partnership, emphasizing the importance of community outreach in connecting with local people.
The festival committee also focused on enhancing the quality of performances by choosing high-caliber contestants who showcased their skills throughout the week. Family members of the contestants were recognized for their roles in motivating participants to excel beyond their comfort zones.
The festival’s charity efforts resulted in several completed projects, including the construction of washroom facilities at Subrail Park ground two. Additionally, musical equipment was donated to Nabala Secondary School, with further projects planned to commence soon.