FRIEND is a registered non-government organisation supporting the efforts of communities towards development through social and economic empowerment.

FRIEND's Fiji Style® Shop

This unique, community-based speciality shop provides an outlet for rural communities to display, promote and sell their products. Products include FRIEND's Fiji Style® chutneys; jams; masi decorated mirrors; coconut and shell jewelery; scarves, sarongs and saris with fusion themes; cushion covers; calico bags; handcrafted cards and much more.

A selection of products are available from the FRIEND office in Lautoka. Chutneys and pickles are also available at Duty Free and quality retail outlets such as MH and Cost-U-Less.

About the Web Site

The web site is maintained by FRIEND staff in Lautoka.

About FRIEND

FRIEND is a registered non-government organisation supporting the efforts of communities towards development through social and economic empowerment.

Our Headquarters is located at 8 Valetia Street in Lautoka. FRIEND also has a unique community-based speciality shop "Friend's Fiji Style® Shop " based in Suva that provides an outlet to rural communities. We have also opened a branch in Labasa.

We collaborate with communities that want to participate actively in their own development and with non government organisations, corporations and government agencies that share our commitment to poverty alleviation. By seeking and encouraging these partnerships, FRIEND provides a link between people and opportunities.

FRIEND's DESI (Developing Enterprises for Sustainable Income) Program has resulted in a range of quality products that is marketed locally and overseas under the FRIEND's Fiji Style® brandname. These include pickles and chutneys using traditional Fiji recipes and handmade cards using various crafts and skills.

FRIEND is a 100% Fiji NGO that was concieved and given form by a development worker Sashi Kiran, who believed that many marginalised communities and individuals coould improve their living conditions with a little helping hand.The NGO started out with 3 volunteers and a one cubicle office in the middle of Lautoka City and its short existence has grown to employ 25 fulltime staff with a bigger headoffice, a card making workshop, a quality controlled kitchen, a specialty shop and a branch in Labasa.

We would like to express our most sincere thanks to the following donors for their generous contributions in support of our work towards poverty alleviation: ASUAID, NZAID, British High Commission, Canada Fund, Foundation for the People of the South Pacific International(FSPI) and European Union Education Sector.

We also thank Fiji Gas, Communications Fiji Ltd, FBC, APCO Paints and all our corporate sponsors as well as volunteers and friends of FRIEND for their ongoing support. We also express our sincere gratitude to the many supporters who have assisted in our efforts toward poverty alleviation.

Presidents Message

".... While FRIEND has always taken challenges involved with IGP initiatives and placed its products in the market, now with the proposed establishment of more appropriate production facilities at the FRIEND VILLAGE, it will be able to reach out to more communities in its drive to alleviate poverty."

Founder/Director's Message

"...the growth of FRIEND to the next level as landmark developments were initiated and more dreams came to fruition. Foundation for Rural Integrated Enterprises N Development was set up to create opportunities for the people to step out of poverty in a country where poverty is not acknowledged."

HRH at FRIEND

FRIEND honoured by the visit of His Royal Highness Prince Charles in 2005

Friend's Fiji Style® products include chutneys, pickles, jams, handmade cards, and handicrafts.

Photos

• Lautoka Office: 1, 2
• Staff Meeting 10 Sep 07: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
• Greeting Card Workshop: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7