The Vodafone Festival of the Friendly North, held for a week last month, successfully raised $327,000. Festival committee president Zaheen Ibrahim expressed that the extensive preparations, which took about seven months, were worth the effort for the organizers, volunteers, and sponsors.
Ibrahim announced the fundraising achievement at a thanksgiving event on Saturday in Labasa, where the festival took place at Subrail Park from August 31 to September 7. As the first female president of the festival committee, she recognized the bonds formed with volunteers that contributed to the festival’s success.
“It is a time to appreciate the hard work, resilience, and dedication of our committee members,” Ibrahim stated. She acknowledged the challenges overcome during the preparation phase and thanked the committee for their efforts.
During the program, special plaques and certificates were awarded to committee members, and Ibrahim highlighted the significance of major sponsor Vodafone Fiji and other corporate supporters who contributed financially to the festival’s operations. She emphasized that the festival’s success would not have been possible without their sponsorship and expressed hope for continued support in future events.
Nilesh Singh, Vodafone’s head of recharge and operations, who was the chief guest, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to ongoing partnership, noting the importance of community outreach.
Ibrahim mentioned that they elevated the standard of performance by selecting quality contestants who showcased their talents throughout the festival week. She also commended the families of the contestants for encouraging them to challenge themselves and deliver outstanding performances.
Several completed projects funded by the festival’s charity initiatives include the construction of restroom facilities at Subrail Park and the donation of musical equipment to Nabala Secondary School, with additional projects planned to commence soon.