the heart - Vodafone Fiji
the heart - Vodafone Fiji
the heart - Vodafone Fiji
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Jeevan<br />
official newsletter of <strong>the</strong> <strong>Vodafone</strong> ATH <strong>Fiji</strong> Foundation<br />
Issue 1 / April-June 2007<br />
Jeevan is <strong>the</strong> Hindi word for Life!<br />
Message from <strong>the</strong> <strong>Vodafone</strong><br />
ATH Foundation Deputy<br />
Chairman, Mr Tomasi Vakatora<br />
Ni sa Bula! Namaste! and Welcome to <strong>the</strong> first issue of<br />
Jeevan <strong>the</strong> official newsletter of <strong>the</strong> <strong>Vodafone</strong> ATH <strong>Fiji</strong><br />
Foundation. As we embark on <strong>the</strong> beginning of our<br />
fourth year in operation, we reflect with great<br />
satisfaction on what has been achieved by our partners<br />
and stakeholders in <strong>the</strong> community through our<br />
combined effort.<br />
Since 2004, <strong>the</strong> Foundation has contributed over $2<br />
million towards various charities and disaster relief<br />
efforts.<br />
Through <strong>the</strong> commitment of <strong>Vodafone</strong> <strong>Fiji</strong> Ltd,<br />
Amalgamated Telecom Holdings (ATH) and <strong>Vodafone</strong><br />
Group Foundation of <strong>the</strong> UK, our obligations as a<br />
corporate citizen intent on improving <strong>the</strong> life of <strong>the</strong><br />
community continues to take form.<br />
By partnering with credible not-for-profits and<br />
non-governmental-organisations (NGO’s), we have<br />
been able to fund projects that will benefit and enable<br />
<strong>the</strong> people and communities of <strong>Fiji</strong> to have fuller lives.<br />
Whilst we continue to make progress, our communities<br />
continue to face numerous challenges. Successfully<br />
addressing <strong>the</strong>se challenges requires a commitment<br />
from more corporate organisations towards specific<br />
areas of social responsibility.<br />
We hope that Jeevan will inspire more corporate<br />
organisations to develop a similar approach.<br />
Betty with her village friends at Waikete village near Nausori town<br />
Touching<br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>heart</strong><br />
13-year-old Betty Simpson is clear about what she<br />
wants to do when she completes school. “I want to be a<br />
doctor,” she whispered.<br />
The young lass from Waikete village in <strong>the</strong> Nakelo<br />
district near Nausori town has spent a lot of time in <strong>the</strong><br />
last few months under <strong>the</strong> care of doctors and has<br />
learnt to appreciate <strong>the</strong> work <strong>the</strong>y do in making people<br />
feel better.<br />
Betty was identified as suffering from acute Rheumatic<br />
Heart Disease last year when a screening team led by<br />
Paediatrician Dr Andrew Steer visited schools in <strong>the</strong><br />
Central Division.<br />
With an added focus on <strong>the</strong> prevention and treatment<br />
of <strong>the</strong> disease made possible with funding by <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Vodafone</strong> Group Foundation through <strong>the</strong> World Heart<br />
Federation in partnership with <strong>the</strong> Ministry of Health,<br />
more youngsters like Betty are expected to be<br />
identified, treated and given a new lease of life.<br />
Rheumatic Heart Disease develops from Rheumatic<br />
Fever. The symptoms of Rheumatic Fever are sore<br />
joints, sore throat and a fever. If untreated Rheumatic<br />
Fever affects <strong>the</strong> valves of <strong>the</strong> <strong>heart</strong> and leads to<br />
Rheumatic Heart Disease, which can lead to death.<br />
The funding will also make way for a public awareness<br />
campaign on <strong>the</strong> disease.
Funding a rural Kindy<br />
Children from a rural community in Tailevu have<br />
also been on <strong>the</strong> receiving end of <strong>the</strong> Foundation<br />
funding with assistance given towards <strong>the</strong><br />
construction of a new Kindergarten facility for<br />
<strong>the</strong>m last year.<br />
Prior to <strong>the</strong> construction of <strong>the</strong> new building,<br />
children from <strong>the</strong> Deepwater Farming community<br />
in Tailevu used an old condemned structure for<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir early learning activities but thanks to a<br />
funding application put toge<strong>the</strong>r by Headteacher<br />
Ms Bindra Devi and <strong>the</strong> approval of <strong>the</strong> Board, <strong>the</strong><br />
new facility is now up and running.<br />
“The Foundation has been making an extra effort<br />
to identify projects in <strong>the</strong> rural areas that need<br />
assistance and this was one such project where we<br />
were glad to assist, Foundation Manager , Lenora<br />
Qereqeretabua said.<br />
“I think <strong>the</strong> Management of <strong>the</strong> School were only<br />
too pleased to demolish <strong>the</strong> old structure which<br />
had been standing for decades in order to make<br />
way for <strong>the</strong> new building,” she added.<br />
The Deepwater community is made up of farmers<br />
with <strong>the</strong> kindergarten facility providing much<br />
needed early learning exposure for <strong>the</strong>ir children.<br />
The facility is expected to be officially handed<br />
over by <strong>the</strong> <strong>Vodafone</strong> ATH Foundation to <strong>the</strong><br />
Management of <strong>the</strong> school shortly. The<br />
Foundation assistance was to <strong>the</strong> amount of<br />
$8000. O<strong>the</strong>r kindergarten projects are expected<br />
to be completed soon at Tamavua Village and<br />
Namarai, Ra.<br />
Books for needy<br />
children<br />
More than 3000 school students from<br />
around <strong>the</strong> Lautoka area received much<br />
needed assistance in <strong>the</strong> form of<br />
exercise books and educational<br />
supplies at <strong>the</strong> beginning of <strong>the</strong> 2007<br />
school year through a grant of $25,000<br />
presented to <strong>the</strong> Sugar Festival<br />
Committee<br />
The Sugar Festival committee had<br />
requested assistance from <strong>the</strong><br />
Foundation last June and <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
application was approved by <strong>the</strong><br />
Foundation Board in July. The funds<br />
were be used to manufacture, print and<br />
distribute 32,000 exercise books to<br />
needy children in and around <strong>the</strong><br />
Lautoka area.<br />
Committee President,<br />
Mr Bijesh Chand said<br />
<strong>the</strong> festival organisers<br />
were extremely<br />
grateful to <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Vodafone</strong> Foundation<br />
for <strong>the</strong>ir contribution<br />
towards <strong>the</strong> project.<br />
“The Festival Committee has been<br />
working hard over <strong>the</strong> last few years to<br />
assist families in need by providing<br />
education for <strong>the</strong>ir children and last<br />
year we were able to help 1700<br />
students with 16,000 books,” Mr Chand<br />
said.<br />
“This year we wanted to increase <strong>the</strong><br />
number of books because we have<br />
been inundated with requests from<br />
families who need assistance,” he<br />
added.<br />
The Sugar Festival committee has been<br />
working with school Head teachers and<br />
o<strong>the</strong>r prominent members of <strong>the</strong><br />
community to identify families who<br />
need assistance. The committee also<br />
intends to purchase pencils, rubbers<br />
and o<strong>the</strong>r stationery items for needy<br />
children.Books for<br />
2www.vodafone.com.fj/foundation<br />
Young Jope’s<br />
new glasses<br />
12-year-old Jope Ralulu Nuku is no different<br />
from your average young boy. He enjoys<br />
playing rugby, hanging out with his friends and<br />
likes going to school.<br />
Originally from Vutia in Rewa, Jope attends<br />
Vishnu Deo Memorial School and lives with his<br />
family in Raiwaqa.<br />
A few years ago, when he was in Class 5, Jope<br />
started to have difficulty seeing what <strong>the</strong><br />
teacher was writing on <strong>the</strong> blackboard and<br />
would often rub his eyes because of blurred<br />
vision.<br />
It was at this time that a team from Project<br />
H.E.A.V.E.N. which tests for hearing and vision<br />
impairment for Primary School children in <strong>Fiji</strong><br />
visited <strong>the</strong> school, tested his eyes and issued<br />
him with a pair of glasses.<br />
“The glasses <strong>the</strong>y gave me really helped me<br />
with my school work because I was able to<br />
see <strong>the</strong> board well and I was able to<br />
understand what <strong>the</strong> teacher was talking<br />
about,” Jope told Jeevan.<br />
“I was a bit surprised when <strong>the</strong>y told me I had<br />
problems with my eyes, but I am glad that I<br />
know now.”<br />
Since being issued glasses, Jope has broken<br />
one pair and is hoping that <strong>the</strong> Project<br />
HEAVEN staff will visit him with new glasses<br />
soon.<br />
Project Manager, Mrs. Fani Volatabu said <strong>the</strong><br />
project was now embarking on <strong>the</strong> second<br />
phase which includes trying to reach<br />
isolated schools and a revisit to all <strong>the</strong><br />
schools to screen Classes 1 – 5.<br />
“We covered all <strong>the</strong> primary schools in <strong>the</strong><br />
first 5-6 years of operation and we're going<br />
around now to screen <strong>the</strong> primary schools<br />
again, as well as nearby secondary schools<br />
for <strong>the</strong> first time,” Mrs Volatabu said. “At <strong>the</strong><br />
close of school last year, we had completed<br />
<strong>the</strong> Viti Levu schools, and we have now<br />
started on <strong>the</strong> schools in Vanua Levu.”<br />
Since commencing operations <strong>the</strong> project<br />
has found that 10% of <strong>the</strong> children screened<br />
have some degree of hearing or vision<br />
impairment.<br />
Project HEAVEN assists with eyeglasses at a<br />
reduced cost, or free to those who cannot<br />
provide for <strong>the</strong>mselves, hearing aids,<br />
medication and consultation and even free<br />
transportation from <strong>the</strong> islands or interior of<br />
Viti Levu, if parents do not have <strong>the</strong> means.<br />
The Foundation has granted $150,000 to <strong>the</strong><br />
project from 2006-2008. 12-year-old Jope<br />
Ralulu Nuku is no different from your average<br />
young boy. He enjoys playing rugby, hanging<br />
out with his friends and likes going to school.
Educating<br />
deaf<br />
children<br />
Equipping<br />
<strong>the</strong> Blind<br />
Executive Director of <strong>the</strong> <strong>Fiji</strong> School for <strong>the</strong> Blind, Mrs Barbara Farook will<br />
be <strong>the</strong> first to tell you that special children have special needs and<br />
meeting those needs is not easy with <strong>the</strong> number of children attending<br />
<strong>the</strong> Blind School increasing each year.<br />
Therefore, <strong>the</strong> School Management was relieved to receive assistance<br />
from <strong>the</strong> Foundation last year which allowed <strong>the</strong>m to purchase 15 sets of<br />
low vision tables, 15 sets of Braille tables, 10 sets of teachers tables, 40<br />
steel chairs and two group tables.<br />
Speaking to Jeevan, Mrs Farook said <strong>the</strong> enormous support received from<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir various donors allows <strong>the</strong> School to provide <strong>the</strong> best facilities to<br />
meet <strong>the</strong> growing needs of <strong>the</strong> blind and visually impaired in <strong>Fiji</strong>.<br />
“Our children receive Braille education and computer training which<br />
gradually equips <strong>the</strong>m for tertiary education and all this is made possible<br />
through support from our various donors,” Mrs Farook said.<br />
“They have to work twice as hard as normal children because <strong>the</strong>y learn<br />
through Braille and it’s only right that we give <strong>the</strong>m as much support as<br />
possible.”<br />
Students at <strong>the</strong> school are classified as totally or partially blind. Mrs<br />
Farook says one of <strong>the</strong>ir totally blind students scored <strong>the</strong> highest mark in<br />
3rd form maths at DAV Boys School last year.<br />
“Krishneel’s achievement is something that we are all so very proud of,<br />
and it just shows that <strong>the</strong>re are no limits. If he can top all normal<br />
students at a normal mainstream school in a subject such as Maths, <strong>the</strong>n<br />
anything is possible for our visually impaired students,” Mrs Farook added.<br />
Most of <strong>the</strong> students who attend <strong>the</strong> school live in <strong>the</strong> school hostel<br />
premises and are given full time assistance with homework.<br />
O<strong>the</strong>r services offered at <strong>the</strong> School include Orientation and Mobility for<br />
new students, an Early Intervention Program for infants and pre-school<br />
children, Braille and Transcription services for students of all ages and<br />
Integrated Education in <strong>the</strong> form of special tuition and visits to respective<br />
schools.<br />
The School, in Nanuku Street Vatuwaqa, has also been actively involved<br />
in providing assistance to visually impaired children in <strong>the</strong> community<br />
through its Community Based Rehabilitation Program.<br />
When <strong>the</strong> Gospel School for <strong>the</strong> deaf was<br />
established in 1999, <strong>the</strong> School Management<br />
Committee was adamant that no deaf child who<br />
came to <strong>the</strong>ir door seeking education assistance<br />
would be turned away.<br />
The pledge was made despite what <strong>the</strong><br />
Management knew were <strong>the</strong> enormous costs<br />
involved in providing a specialised education<br />
service which often involved <strong>the</strong> provision of<br />
hostel accommodation for those who came from<br />
rural parts of <strong>Fiji</strong> and around <strong>the</strong> Pacific.<br />
Eight years later, Gospel School for <strong>the</strong> Deaf has a<br />
roll of 48 students from as far away as Savusavu<br />
and Rabi with a few students from Kiribati and<br />
Tuvalu.<br />
Much of <strong>the</strong> assistance to <strong>the</strong> students comes<br />
from local and international donors, so when <strong>the</strong><br />
School Management learnt of <strong>the</strong> <strong>Vodafone</strong> ATH<br />
Foundation through an advert in <strong>the</strong> paper <strong>the</strong>y<br />
seized <strong>the</strong> opportunity to seek assistance.<br />
The Foundation Board approved funding for 10<br />
students to attend <strong>the</strong> boarding school for one<br />
year as well as for <strong>the</strong> refurbishment of <strong>the</strong> school<br />
kitchen. <strong>Vodafone</strong> Foundation Manager, Lenora<br />
Qereqeretabua said <strong>the</strong>y also funded four sign<br />
language interpreters last year through <strong>the</strong> <strong>Fiji</strong><br />
Association of <strong>the</strong> Deaf. Two of those interpreters<br />
worked at Gospel High School with <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r two<br />
at Marist Bro<strong>the</strong>rs High School.<br />
www.vodafone.com.fj/foundation<br />
3
Caring for <strong>the</strong><br />
Environment<br />
www.vodafone.com.fj/foundation<br />
4<br />
Creating a cadre of environmentally conscious young people who can<br />
nurture and protect <strong>the</strong>ir surroundings is a challenge that NGO Live &<br />
Learn Environmental Education have passionately embraced.<br />
Working hand in hand with <strong>the</strong> Ministry of Education Curriculum<br />
Development Unit and with a three year grant from <strong>the</strong> <strong>Vodafone</strong> ATH<br />
Foundation, Live & Learn will be extending <strong>the</strong> reach of <strong>the</strong> RiverCare<br />
program to a fur<strong>the</strong>r 61 school and 10 communities<br />
RiverCare is a program designed to raise awareness and education<br />
with secondary school students, teachers and communities on how to<br />
care for <strong>the</strong>ir surrounding waterways and <strong>the</strong> environment as a whole.<br />
“What we have been able to do through RiverCare is create a link<br />
between students and teachers to mobilise action in taking care of<br />
<strong>the</strong> environment in <strong>the</strong>ir school community. The activities have<br />
ranged from students breeding prawns in a creek that flows through<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir school, constant monitoring of designated waterways,<br />
replanting mangroves and trees in <strong>the</strong>ir school surrounding, and<br />
monitoring beach erosion and human activities alongside nearby<br />
beaches,” Field Trainer Iva Bakaniceva said.<br />
“We also encourage <strong>the</strong> students to take things a step fur<strong>the</strong>r by<br />
linking with nearby communities to identify problems with <strong>the</strong><br />
waterways and create more awareness and a responsible attitude<br />
towards <strong>the</strong> environment,” Iva added.<br />
Since its inception, RiverCare has been established in 39 schools in<br />
<strong>the</strong> Suva, Nakasi, Nausori and Sigatoka districts and 10 neighbouring<br />
communities.
Reaching<br />
Rotuma<br />
A grant of $30,000 was given towards<br />
efforts by <strong>the</strong> Rotuman community to<br />
safeguard and protect <strong>the</strong> island's natural<br />
resources through <strong>the</strong> Laje Rotuma<br />
project.<br />
An initiative of a group of young<br />
Rotumans, Laje Rotuma was launched in<br />
2002. The assistance from <strong>the</strong><br />
Foundation has been a major contributor<br />
to <strong>the</strong> successful implementation of <strong>the</strong><br />
second phase of <strong>the</strong> project, Coordinator,<br />
Monifa Fiu, said .<br />
“Our objective is to create a more<br />
environmentally conscious population<br />
and <strong>the</strong> funding received has greatly<br />
supported <strong>the</strong> community action<br />
programmes that we have organised,”<br />
Monifa added.<br />
“Through <strong>the</strong> funding we have been able<br />
to conduct training on <strong>the</strong> island on<br />
waste management practices, support<br />
<strong>the</strong> community in coastal rehabilitation<br />
and introduce best beach practices. We<br />
also have been creating more awareness<br />
on <strong>the</strong> damage caused by irresponsible<br />
dumping of household waste.”<br />
The initiative aims to protect Rotuma's<br />
heritage for <strong>the</strong> future and to mobilise <strong>the</strong><br />
community to better manage <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
natural resources.<br />
“Many of us who are directly involved in<br />
<strong>the</strong> coordination of LRI have been<br />
privileged to experience life lessons whilst<br />
interacting with our own kinsmen, as well<br />
as share that knowledge with o<strong>the</strong>rs by<br />
learning from different cultures through<br />
our extended networks,” Monifa said.<br />
Rotuma Island has an approximate land<br />
area of 43 sq. km, and is located about<br />
465km North of <strong>the</strong> <strong>Fiji</strong> Islands.<br />
Ms Fiu said Rotuma has often been left<br />
out of <strong>the</strong> development process due to its<br />
distance from <strong>the</strong> mainland but through<br />
initiatives like this <strong>the</strong>y were hoping to<br />
change that and address <strong>the</strong> threats on<br />
<strong>the</strong> island's marine ecosystem and <strong>the</strong><br />
effects of climate change.<br />
Conserving<br />
Gems<br />
In line with <strong>the</strong> <strong>Vodafone</strong> ATH Foundation focus on <strong>the</strong> protection of <strong>the</strong><br />
environment, a grant of $91, 753 was made towards researching and<br />
documenting <strong>the</strong> marine life at <strong>the</strong> Great Sea Reef in Vanua Levu by WWF<br />
Pacific.<br />
The Great Sea Reef has been identified as one of <strong>Fiji</strong>’s hidden gems, of global<br />
importance in terms of its biodiversity. It’s <strong>the</strong> third longest barrier reef in <strong>the</strong><br />
world, <strong>the</strong> most complex sea reef in <strong>Fiji</strong> and it boasts some of <strong>the</strong> most<br />
outstanding array of sea life.<br />
The grant made way for a survey which assessed <strong>the</strong> threats to <strong>the</strong> reef and<br />
identified sites for conservation projects. A total of 23 sites were surveyed,<br />
including outer barrier reefs, back barrier reefs, channels, mangrove island<br />
fringing reefs, rocky island fringing reefs and submerged patch reefs.<br />
The diversity of marine life was found to be of global, regional, national and<br />
local importance with initial results revealing unique mangrove island<br />
habitats, endemic fish species and some coral and fish species found outside<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir usual range.<br />
The survey resulted in <strong>the</strong> publishing of two scientific reports which confirm<br />
that <strong>the</strong> reef system is home to 55% of <strong>the</strong> known coral reef fish in <strong>Fiji</strong>. In<br />
addition, <strong>the</strong> Great Sea Reef contains 74% of <strong>the</strong> actual known corals found in<br />
<strong>Fiji</strong> and 40% of all of <strong>the</strong> archipelago’s marine flora and fauna collection.<br />
Fur<strong>the</strong>r information on <strong>the</strong> reports can be obtained from <strong>the</strong> WWF South<br />
Pacific website at www.wwfpacific.org.fj.<br />
www.vodafone.com.fj/foundation<br />
5
www.vodafone.com.fj/foundation<br />
6<br />
Participants at a recent PALM youth camp<br />
Life Management<br />
Bringing youth leaders toge<strong>the</strong>r, building <strong>the</strong>ir skills,<br />
teaching <strong>the</strong>m creative ways of generating income and<br />
exploring ways in which <strong>the</strong>y can maximise resources is all<br />
part of <strong>the</strong> objectives of <strong>the</strong> <strong>Fiji</strong> Council of Social Services,<br />
PALM Project.<br />
PALM (Promoting Adolescent Life Management) has been<br />
given funding by <strong>the</strong> Foundation to support <strong>the</strong> running of<br />
<strong>the</strong> program for three years from 2006.<br />
Empowering<br />
Program Coordinator, Tevita Tokalauvere said through <strong>the</strong><br />
Young Lives<br />
Teaching young people<br />
skills to help <strong>the</strong>m<br />
become independent<br />
and contribute positively<br />
to <strong>the</strong>ir communities is<br />
<strong>the</strong> objective of <strong>the</strong><br />
Soweri Youth Bee<br />
Farming Project.<br />
The Project which is currently underway in Ba received $5400 from <strong>the</strong><br />
Foundation towards <strong>the</strong> purchase of beehives, bee suits, rubber gloves,<br />
a honey extractor and o<strong>the</strong>r supplies necessary in establishing a bee<br />
farm.<br />
The Project applied for funds under <strong>the</strong> umbrella of Youth for Christ <strong>Fiji</strong>,<br />
an organisation that was established in 1997 to cater for <strong>the</strong> growing<br />
needs of young people moving away from <strong>the</strong> traditional way of life.<br />
“We desire to see a holistic approach to youth development which<br />
includes <strong>the</strong> Social, Mental, Economical, Physical and <strong>the</strong> Spiritual,”<br />
Youth for Christ Coordinator, Sereki Korocowiri said.<br />
He said <strong>the</strong> project aims to provide 15- 20 young people with a sense of<br />
purpose and a positive way to making a living and to impact <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
various communities.<br />
Income generated from <strong>the</strong> project will come from <strong>the</strong> honey which<br />
will be marketed and sold by <strong>the</strong> young people.<br />
The project is receiving technical assistance from <strong>the</strong> Ministry of<br />
Agriculture.<br />
funding <strong>the</strong>y have been able to conduct a series of<br />
workshops and camps in <strong>the</strong> Central, Nor<strong>the</strong>rn and<br />
Western divisions and have been able to provide a<br />
platform for young people to positively contribute to<br />
<strong>the</strong> development of <strong>the</strong> nation.<br />
“We encourage a participatory approach in all our<br />
meetings and camps and it's really about sharing<br />
knowledge and just building capacity amongst our<br />
youth leaders,” Tevita said.<br />
“These young people have a lot of influence in <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
communities and we expect <strong>the</strong>m to go back and<br />
implement some of what <strong>the</strong>y have learnt with <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
peers.”<br />
The training conducted covers areas such as anger and<br />
stress management, improving communication,<br />
maximising limited resources, being creative, handling<br />
drugs and substance abuse, peace building and social<br />
leadership, health issues and also how to interact and<br />
socialise with people within <strong>the</strong>ir families and<br />
communities.Bringing youth leaders toge<strong>the</strong>r, building<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir skills, teaching <strong>the</strong>m creative ways of generating<br />
Lusiana Niudamu – It is really<br />
enjoyable because I learn new<br />
things like how to interact with<br />
o<strong>the</strong>r races especially my Indian<br />
bro<strong>the</strong>rs and sisters, and it is really<br />
interesting to meet new friends.<br />
Training School<br />
A few kilometers outside Suva is Wainadoi and <strong>the</strong><br />
Chevalier Farm Training Centre. The Centre is run by<br />
<strong>the</strong> Catholic Church and is home to young men who<br />
are eager to get ano<strong>the</strong>r chance at life by learning<br />
trade skills including mechanical engineering,<br />
carpentry and farming.<br />
With a successful chicken run already supplying eggs<br />
to regular customers in Suva and teaching <strong>the</strong> young<br />
men entrepreneurial skills, revitalising <strong>the</strong> Centre's old<br />
duck farm became a priority.<br />
With a grant from <strong>the</strong> <strong>Vodafone</strong> ATH Foundation, <strong>the</strong><br />
Centre has been able to provide its students with<br />
ano<strong>the</strong>r lucrative learning opportunity breeding and<br />
selling meat birds.
The Bare<br />
Necessities<br />
Foundation Board Member Mrs Manorma Singh with<br />
one of <strong>the</strong> new facilities at Marata<br />
Families in <strong>the</strong> Marata and Biliwai<br />
settlements in Wailoku are benefiting from<br />
much needed assistance towards <strong>the</strong><br />
improvement of toilet facilities in <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
respective communities.<br />
Youths of Marata have completed <strong>the</strong><br />
construction of modern standard toilet<br />
facilities for 30 families to replace <strong>the</strong> old<br />
facilities that had been in existence for more<br />
than 50 years with work in neighbouring<br />
Biliwai currently underway.<br />
The project is being coordinated through<br />
<strong>the</strong> Ecumenical Centre for Research<br />
Education and Advocacy (ECREA) Social<br />
Justice Program.<br />
Families who needed assistance were<br />
identified after ECREA conducted a survey<br />
in <strong>the</strong> communities.<br />
ECREA Field Coordinator, Semiti Qalowasa<br />
said <strong>the</strong> project has boosted <strong>the</strong> lives of<br />
many families in Marata and will have a<br />
direct impact on <strong>the</strong> quality of life in Biliwai.<br />
Mr Qalowasa added that <strong>the</strong> projects were<br />
being implemented at an ideal time as it<br />
helped <strong>the</strong> residents of <strong>the</strong> settlement<br />
focus on positive developments and not on<br />
<strong>the</strong> current political situation.<br />
Developing medical<br />
professionals<br />
Since 2004 a total of thirty <strong>Fiji</strong> School of Medicine students from <strong>Fiji</strong> and <strong>the</strong><br />
region have received assistance from <strong>the</strong> Foundation for overseas attachments<br />
as part of <strong>the</strong>ir study for ei<strong>the</strong>r a Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery<br />
(MBBS), Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) or Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm)<br />
programmes. Mr Julian Sing from <strong>the</strong> Deans Office at FSM spoke to Jeevan<br />
about <strong>the</strong> assistance.<br />
What does <strong>the</strong> assistance mean to students<br />
The elective scholarship allows <strong>Fiji</strong> School of Medicine students (usually in <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
final year) to carry out <strong>the</strong>ir practical in an overseas teaching hospital or<br />
institution. The elective runs for between four to six weeks and this allows our<br />
students to train alongside some of <strong>the</strong> best specialists in <strong>the</strong> more developed<br />
world. The assistance is invaluable, exposing <strong>the</strong> students to working<br />
environments that are fairly advanced in expertise, technology and method.<br />
How are <strong>the</strong> students selected<br />
Student selection for <strong>Vodafone</strong> ATH Foundation scholarships to do electives<br />
overseas is carried out by committees made up of teaching staff at <strong>the</strong> three<br />
departments. The criteria for selection include academic excellence, proven<br />
capability and promise in <strong>the</strong> various fields of study. Students make <strong>the</strong>ir own<br />
arrangements for <strong>the</strong>ir overseas electives by finding <strong>the</strong>ir preferred institutions,<br />
arranging for a supervisor and o<strong>the</strong>r attachment details. Needless to say, <strong>the</strong><br />
elective scholarships are extremely competitive.<br />
What is <strong>the</strong> level of assistance<br />
The $15,000 that <strong>the</strong> <strong>Vodafone</strong> Foundation has been giving annually has been<br />
equally shared amongst all 10 participants; <strong>the</strong>refore each elective student<br />
gets $1,500. How <strong>the</strong>y use this money is entirely up to <strong>the</strong>m… however most<br />
use it to pay for <strong>the</strong>ir air fare. Individual students privately subsidise <strong>the</strong> rest of<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir expenses including living costs (board, meal, travel etc) and sundry during<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir stay abroad.<br />
Any O<strong>the</strong>r Relevant Information<br />
· The scholarship began in 2004 with a $15,000 grant<br />
· In 2005, a three year agreement was reached for <strong>the</strong> <strong>Vodafone</strong><br />
Foundation to annually fund a $15,000 per year elective programme<br />
· Two of <strong>the</strong> more popular institutions where students go to are <strong>the</strong><br />
Royal Melbourne Hospital and Sydney's Royal North Shore Hospital<br />
“The elective programme will allow our students to experience through <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
training attachment a level of expertise and technology that would greatly<br />
benefit <strong>the</strong>m. The <strong>Fiji</strong> School of Medicine is grateful to <strong>the</strong> <strong>Vodafone</strong> ATH<br />
Foundation for <strong>the</strong>ir continued support for our students and through this<br />
intervention will ensure <strong>the</strong> school’s objective of properly and highly qualified<br />
health professionals for <strong>the</strong> region” – FSM Dean, Professor David Brewster.<br />
Supporting Disabled Sports<br />
The <strong>Fiji</strong> Sports Association for <strong>the</strong> Disabled received funding assistance to conduct a<br />
series of sports development workshops for sports teachers in 17 special education<br />
schools in <strong>Fiji</strong>.<br />
The training was conducted in Suva, Lautoka and Labasa with <strong>the</strong> main objective of<br />
enhancing <strong>the</strong> knowledge of <strong>the</strong> teachers to in turn benefit <strong>the</strong> 1096 registered<br />
disabled children in <strong>the</strong> Central/Eastern, Western and Nor<strong>the</strong>rn Divisions.<br />
Following <strong>the</strong> training, three regional sports competitions were held in <strong>the</strong> above<br />
divisions. The Association promotes participation in sports for disabled people, and<br />
encourages physical education and exercise for disabled people.<br />
www.vodafone.com.fj/foundation<br />
7
www.vodafone.com.fj/foundation<br />
8<br />
About Us<br />
Board Member Diana Fong and Foundation Manager Lenora Qereqeretabua<br />
Who We Are<br />
The <strong>Vodafone</strong> ATH <strong>Fiji</strong> Foundation (The Foundation) was<br />
established in March 2004, under <strong>the</strong> Charitable Trust Act as an<br />
avenue through which our companies, <strong>Vodafone</strong> <strong>Fiji</strong> Limited,<br />
Amalgamated Telecom Holdings (ATH) and <strong>Vodafone</strong> Group<br />
Foundation of <strong>the</strong> UK can invest back into <strong>the</strong> community and <strong>the</strong><br />
environment.<br />
The Foundation follows <strong>the</strong> establishment of <strong>the</strong> <strong>Vodafone</strong> Group<br />
Foundation (www. vodafonefoundation.org), to ensure a<br />
harmonised global approach to social investment activities<br />
conducted through local foundations. Similar foundations have<br />
been established in o<strong>the</strong>r countries around <strong>the</strong> world with a<br />
<strong>Vodafone</strong> presence.<br />
A local and relevant approach is made possible through partnering<br />
with credible not-for-profits and non-governmental-organisations<br />
(NGO’s) and by funding projects that will benefit and enable <strong>the</strong><br />
people and communities of <strong>Fiji</strong> to have fuller lives.<br />
The Foundation is comprised of a board of trustees made up of<br />
staff of <strong>Vodafone</strong> <strong>Fiji</strong> and Australia, and ATH, and <strong>the</strong> Foundation<br />
Manager overseeing <strong>the</strong> day to day running of <strong>the</strong> Foundation.<br />
Our Mission Statement<br />
Through our Passion for <strong>the</strong> World Around Us (one of <strong>Vodafone</strong>’s<br />
passions) we can lead and make a difference for our communities<br />
and our people.<br />
What we invest in<br />
Though we would love to, <strong>the</strong> Foundation cannot fund everything<br />
so we have identified <strong>the</strong> following three focus areas as our<br />
flagships;<br />
HEALTH and <strong>the</strong> access to health services,<br />
ENVIRONMENT – sustainable development and <strong>the</strong> protection of<br />
our environment, and<br />
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT – Youth and <strong>the</strong> community.<br />
We also welcome applications for o<strong>the</strong>r projects in o<strong>the</strong>r areas if<br />
You are a registered <strong>Fiji</strong> N.G.O. or not-for-profit,<br />
The project you are proposing is in line with our Mission<br />
Statement,<br />
The beneficiaries of <strong>the</strong> grant are <strong>Fiji</strong> based.<br />
How to apply<br />
for funding<br />
While we welcome applications all year round, invitations<br />
for applications are advertised every quarter in <strong>the</strong> main<br />
dailies a few weeks before <strong>the</strong> board of trustees' meetings.<br />
Proposals should include;<br />
Name, background, financial profile, registration<br />
details, constitutional documents and purpose or<br />
mission, of <strong>the</strong> organisation.<br />
Summary of projects that have been undertaken<br />
in <strong>the</strong> recent past; and<br />
Details of <strong>the</strong> project to be undertaken, including<br />
description, objectives, amount of funding required,<br />
financial analysis, implementation plan, letter of support<br />
from relevant government or regulatory authority, and<br />
any o<strong>the</strong>r information which may be relevant to <strong>the</strong><br />
project.<br />
Alternatively, organisations can download and fill<br />
out <strong>the</strong> Foundation application form at<br />
www.vodafone.com.fj/foundation .<br />
Proposals should be sent to this address;<br />
The Board of Trustees<br />
C/- <strong>Vodafone</strong> ATH <strong>Fiji</strong> Foundation Manager<br />
<strong>Vodafone</strong> <strong>Fiji</strong> Limited<br />
168 Princess Road,<br />
Tamavua,<br />
Suva.<br />
Or to foundation@vodafone.com.fj<br />
What we<br />
do not fund