ISSUE 11 / APRIL - Vodafone Fiji

Mrs Jaam Kaur is a living exampleof how determination sprinkled withsome know-how can lead to fi nancialindependence. Along with herhusband, Mr Seveci Talai, she runs asmall shop, has almost 40 heads ofcattle, a pig farm and their daughteris in seventh form studying to be anaccountant.Mrs Kaur says her family’s fi nancialoutlook had been enhanced by thefi nancial literacy training she andher husband had taken. The trainingis part of the Fiji Council of SocialServices’ microfi nance project thathas benefi ted over 190 people inover 13 communities so far.Vodafone ATH Fiji Foundationprovided funds for the fi nancialliteracy training where participantslearnt the benefi ts of saving andutilising the saving to expand theirincome generation. Also part of thetraining was setting goals and targetsand putting in place plans whichchallenge them to meet their target.The assistance from Microfi nance hasgiven them a fi nancial security theynever had before, says Mrs Kaur. Withthe loans they have received, theirbusiness has fl ourished. “Everybodycan save money, if they have the will,”says Mrs Kaur. “Kua na vucesa,” is hermessage to aspiring entrepreneurs.Others have also benefi ted fromthe small grants offered through theMore schools to participatein DEAP programmeEVERYONE CAN MAKE A WORLD OF DIFFERENCEKua na vucesa, says Mrs KaurParticipants at the Financial Literacy Trainingtraining. The types of businessesstarted with this grant includedairy shops, handicrafts, tailoring,screen printing, and production/manufacturing of home-basedvirgin coconut oil etc. 50-70% whoattended training have opened somesort of small income generatingactivity. The training also benefi tsfamilies juggling their fi nances tocope with life. Mrs. Senilagakali ofthe SDA Womens Group said that thetraining has given her new insightsand new ideas on how she can savemoney and set goals for the benefi tsof her family. ”I now also realise thatsavings will help us in unexpectedevents,” she said.Mother of three, WainikitiKoroiwasa said she could nowbudget her family income well andthe family was able to put aside somemoney for savings. “This is good forrainy days and now we do not haveto borrow or rely on others.”Even retirees and pensionersaw great advantage of the training.Sixty year old Semi Turaga, whoaccompanied his wife to the training,said that this type of training shouldhave come a long time ago when ‘Ihad been a little younger and couldstill earn and save with my age’. “Now,it is a little bit too late for me but myadvice to the young couples is this –‘This is the way out of poverty.’”Fifteen new schools will be joiningthe Duke of Edinburg Awards Programme(DEAP) soon. This would take the totalnumber of schools participating in theprogrammne to 45. Currently 30 schoolsare registered out of which 23 are fundedby the Vodafone ATH Fiji Foundation.For the 15 new schools, a leaderstraining was conducted which equipscordinators with essential skills to managethe programme.DEAP is a charity programme out of UKdedicated to the personal developmentof young people from all backgrounds.DEAP head Sakiusa Regu fromMinistry of Youth says the programmehas come far from when it started.“We have 814 participants among30 schools and 3 schools have alreadyreached gold category.”The concept is simple – anyone agedAWARD PARTICIPANTSYear Bronze Silver Gold200220032004200520082009274152303404685781415252103333663(NB: figures for 2006 & 2007 were not obtained)between 14 and 25 can do a programmeat one of three progressive levels which,when successfully completed, lead to aBronze, Silver or Gold Duke of Edinburgh’sAward. There are four sections atBronze and Silver level and fi ve at Gold.With assistance from adult leaders,participants select and set objectives ineach of the following areas: Volunteering,Physical, Skills, Expedition. At Gold level,participants must do an additional fi fthResidential section, which involvesstaying and working away from homedoing a shared activity.Each section must be done fora minimum of 12 weeks. It must bemonitored and then assessed bysomeone with knowledge of thatparticular activity to achieve an Award.Each progressive level demands moretime and commitment from participants.Total274193388522698814The programmes help youngpeople develop into fully rounded andresponsible individuals. Participantswill see new talents and skills developand emotional maturity blossom whilstalso building their fi tness and initiative.Its balanced programme of activitiesdevelops the whole person – mind, bodyand soul, in an environment of socialinteraction and team working.Furthermore, as doing theirDEAP involves developing a personalprogramme of challenging activities,participants enjoy unique experiencesand rewards. Generally participation inthe programme develops: self-belief.self-confi dence, a sense of identity,independence of thought and action,respect and understanding of peoplefrom different backgrounds, cultures andwalks of life, a sense of responsibility,an awareness of their potential, newtalents and abilities,an understanding ofstrengths and weaknesses,the ability to plan and usetime effectively, the abilityto learn from and give toothers in the community,new relationships, skillsincluding problemsolving, presentation andcommunication, and theability to lead and work aspart of a team.The development and empowerment concepts prevalent in the Award is what makes it a rewarding and beneficial program. There is nothing moregratifying than seeing young people change for the better, realizing their God given potentials and using it to make their world a better place tolive in. The award program in its own unique way offers this to our young people, not only here in our beautiful Islands but all around the world.- SAKIUSA REGU4 l www.vodafone.com.fj/foundationDEAP head from Department of Youth & Sports Mr Sakiusa ReguAWARDS PRESENTEDYear Bronze Silver20022003200420052006200720082009Total71101012952606149433123151023615102