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Jone Nawaikula (in yellow) with his leadership colleagues
FRIEND Administration Officer Jone Nawailkula successfully finished the year long Leadership Fiji 2009 program last week. Jone was one of the 28 nominees selected from around the country. "The program has done lots to broaden up my knowledege on issues surrounding our communities locally n globally. It took us through various locales and gave us an oppurtunity to learn and share outside our work environments"
FRIEND Annual Stakeholder Meet attracted participants from as far as Brisbane this year. The panelists and participants ranged from experts to grassroots representatives who shared their experiences and views on "Making Livelihoods Sustainable'. The day also marked the event of the organisations Annual General Meeting attended by members of the board and general membership. It also saw the culmination of the IDEA competition 2009 that attracted more than 100 entries from around forty aspirants. IDEA or Individuals Developing Entrepreneurship Acumen is aimed at communities realising their skills and resources and being able to generate income oppurtunities for themselves through the assistance of FRIEND services.
News from most currentGCAP Race 2009
Sugar Festival 2009
Miss FRIEND for Sugar Festival 2009 Lautoka's Sugar Festival was enjoyed by FRIEND as Miss FRIEND Ana Radaniva shone throughout the week with her grace and confidence and being a good ambassdor of FRIEND. Our float depicting a Fijian grass bure to provide shelter to our queen and also advertising Friends Fiji Style products as well as FRIEND programs also won the third prize in the non commercial category by the organisers. Happy 7th Birthday FRIEND celebrated its 7th Birthday on the 29th of August. The event was hosted a day earlier by the Hibiscus Events Group in Suva as FRIEND participated in the yearly festival. A team of staff travelled from Lautoka to take part in the festivities as well as helping out in the FRIEND stall at the grounds and the float procession in which the FRIEND float depicted a birthday party with its paper quilled cake. FRIEND @ Vodafone Hibiscus 2009
Miss FRIEND/Bank of Baroda FRIEND teamed up with Bank of Baroda to take part in the Vodafone Hibiscus Carnival 2009. 21 year old Banking and Management student Kelera Tuirara contested as Miss FRIEND/Bank of Baroda. She won Miss Fiji Tv Photogenic title as part of the contest. Office in Labasa FRIEND Labasa office was opened with much pomp and ceremony on 22nd July witnessed by the Australian High Commisioner HE James Batley, Senior government official, business community, ngo reps and friends and supporters of FRIEND in the north. The northern base now provides a more solid footing for FRIEND to continue its efforts of poverty alleviation for the underserved community in the area. Change Agents Armed Twenty five newly recruited FRIEND Change Agents from the cane belt areas of the country underwent a weeklong workshop in Lautoka this April preparing to venture into their communities with issues of Food Security, Environment Conservation and Health. These representatives include farmers, women interest and youth workers. The Change Agents will work with their selected communities in Rakiraki, Tavua, Vatukoula, Ba, Lautoka, Nadi, Labasa and Seaqaqa. IDEA 2009 SPC assists FRIEND to expand range of productsThe Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), through its EU-funded Facilitating Agricultural Commodity Trade (FACT) Project, is assisting FRIEND with development of trade in its value-added agricultural produce. An independent Technical Advisory Group selected FRIEND as one of 14 enterprises to receive technical and other assistance to improve its quality and range of products, especially dried fruits. Frank Hilton Community Service AwardFRIEND recieved 1st Prize in group category of ABC - Action for Betterment of Community's inaugral Frank Hilton Community Service Awards 2008. The prize money of one thousand five hundred dollars will be put towards outreach work of FRIEND to the marginalised communities in the West and North. DESI Conference Race Around Lautoka
FRIEND hosted its annual poverty message higlighter event "Race Around Lautoka" on 11th October. Teams from youth groups, business houses and government organisations participated in this race, deciphering clues as they went along to reach their destinations. A half day event will culminated with prize giving and fun activities at the Churchill Park. Participating teams included Prisons, Sofitel, ANZ as well as a youth group all the way from Ba. I D E A - Individuals Developing Entreprenuershuip Accumen Happy Birthday FRIEND at Hibiscus 2008FRIEND made its mark at the 'mother of all festivals' Hibiscus 2008 with its participation. 19 year old Desdemona Rosanitoba represented FRIEND amongst the charity contestants while FRIEND put up a stall to promote its range of goods availble through its community Income Generation Programs. On the final day of the float procession our queen set under the golden quill arch made at our garage workshop on a 3D quilled hibiscus flower. Garden City Shop Opens 9 Feb 2008 Friend's Fiji Style Shop was officially opened by the First Secretary of the Australian High Commission RICHELLE TICKLE. TICKLE declared herself as the "Number 1 Fan" of FRIEND and its products. The morning was well attended by the diplomatic corp. Do check us out at Shop 3, Garden City, Raiwai.
Digital Video SkillsFRIEND was part of a two week Pacific Training on Strengthening Digital Video Skills for M&E, Sharing and Learning held at SPC Media Center in Nabua from 4th to 15th of February. The workshop was sponsored by IFAD, SPC and FSPI and conducted by RANA GHOSE and AREN BAOA. With the skills learnt at the workshop FRIEND aims to begin its work on getting on with its plan to prepare video documentaries of its programs, activities and success stories. 
Sandhya at the workshop.
Good PracticeFRIEND has been awarded a Good Practice Ranking by UN Habitat. Best practices are analysed with a view to extracting lessons that others can learn from and incorporate in their own work. NGO of the Year
Mala, Sandhya and Anita at the Awards Nite FRIEND was announced the winner of Fiji Association of Social Workers NGO of the Year 2007 at the Associations AGM Dinner held on the 1st of December at the Tanoa Plaza. Representatives from various NGOS present at the forum also took time out to write their messages on the STAND UP AGAINST POVERTY banner as part of the Global Call for Action Against Poverty. The banner has now left Fiji for South Africa where it will be joined with banners from other parts of the world to be displayed at international meetings to lobby global leaders into action against poverty. A FRIEND Wedding
CONGRATULATIONS to Sharol Sandiya Ram (a.k.a SUBASHNI) and Mitieli Kalou who got married in a traditional Christian ceremony in Lautoka on Saturday 3rd November. The bride looked radiant in her white gown. Subashni has been making cards at FRIEND workshop since 2004. She is profound deaf and so is Mitieli who has also been making cards part time. Being deaf it was obvious they saw only love and not the barriers of race and culture. Both sides of the family were present at the church to give their blessings and bus load of deaf friends came from suva and around the west. It was a blissful ceremony with a lot of happiness. We wish them both a happy wedded life :) FRIEND on Economic Panel 2007FRIEND was invited to make a presentation at Economics Association of Fiji Panel Discussion on Realising and Fostering the Potential of Small & Micro Enterprises in Fiji on 30th October. Sashi reiterated her belief that all development agencies and government arms need to seriously work together to be able to foster and encourage growth of SMEs.Details at the Reserve Bank of Fiji. |
News sorted by topicPresentationsFRIEND was invited to make a presentation at Economics Association of Fiji Panel Discussion on Realising and Fostering the Potential of Small & Micro Enterprises in Fiji on 30th October, 2007. Sashi reiterated her belief that all development agencies and government arms need to seriously work together to be able to foster and encourage growth of SMEs.Details at the Reserve Bank of Fiji. Awards
FRIEND recieved 1st Prize in group category of ABC - Action for Betterment of Community's inaugral Frank Hilton Community Service Awards 2008. The prize money of one thousand five hundred dollars will be put towards outreach work of FRIEND to the marginalised communities in the West and North. Mala, Sandhya and Anita at the Awards Nite FRIEND was announced the winner of Fiji Association of Social Workers NGO of the Year 2007 at the Associations AGM Dinner held on the 1st of December at the Tanoa Plaza. Representatives from various NGOS present at the forum also took time out to write their messages on the STAND UP AGAINST POVERTY banner as part of the Global Call for Action Against Poverty. The banner has now left Fiji for South Africa where it will be joined with banners from other parts of the world to be displayed at international meetings to lobby global leaders into action against poverty. FRIEND has been awarded a Good Practice Ranking by UN Habitat. Best practices are analysedwith a view to extracting lessons that others can learn from and incorporate in their own work. Good PracticeFRIEND has been awarded a Good Practice Ranking by UN Habitat in July 2007. Best practices are analysed with a view to extracting lessons that others can learn from and incorporate in their own work. Staff TrainingsFRIEND was part of a two week Pacific Training on Strengthening Digital Video Skills for M&E, Sharing and Learning held at SPC Media Center in Nabua from 4th to 15th of February, 2008. The workshop was sponsored by IFAD, SPC and FSPI and conducted by RANA GHOSE and AREN BAOA. With the skills learnt at the workshop FRIEND aims to begin its work on getting on with its plan to prepare video documentaries of its programs, activities and success stories.
Sandhya at the workshop.
FRIEND IGP Coordinator MALA SEKAR is back from Japan after a 10 week training workshop on Empowerment of Rural Women. She returned with an action plan for community development.(2007) A New Zealand Volunteer, JEN HAMMONDS was in town holding photography workshops at the FRIEND office. A number of students embraced the oppurtunity to learn more about photography.
Having fun at the workshop Standing : Tasha, Julie, Kemueli, Jen, Jone, Miri Sitting : Epeli, Semi FestivalsMiss FRIEND for Sugar Festival 2009 Lautoka's Sugar Festival was enjoyed by FRIEND as Miss FRIEND Ana Radaniva shone throughout the week with her grace and confidence and being a good ambassdor of FRIEND. Our float depicting a Fijian grass bure to provide shelter to our queen and also advertising Friends Fiji Style products as well as FRIEND programs also won the third prize in the non commercial category by the organisers.
Miss FRIEND/Bank of Baroda FRIEND teamed up with Bank of Baroda to take part in the Vodafone Hibiscus Carnival 2009. 21 year old Banking and Management student Kelera Tuirara contested as Miss FRIEND/Bank of Baroda. She won Miss Fiji Tv Photogenic title as part of the contest. FRIEND made its mark at the 'mother of all festivals' Hibiscus 2008 with its participation. 19 year old Desdemona Rosanitoba represented FRIEND amongst the charity contestants while FRIEND put up a stall to promote its range of goods availble through its community Income Generation Programs. On the final day of the float procession our queen set under the golden quill arch made at our garage workshop on a 3D quilled hibiscus flower. Miss FRIEND Priya Prasad was crowned Miss Charity Sugar Festival 2007. PRIYA, who is profound deaf did well in her objective of raising issues and challenges affecting the deaf community. FRIEND also won the 1st prize in the Charitable category for the float. images Events
FRIEND Labasa office was opened with much pomp and ceremony on 22nd July witnessed by the Australian High Commisioner HE James Batley, Senior government official, business community, ngo reps and friends and supporters of FRIEND in the north. The northern base now provides a more solid footing for FRIEND to continue its efforts of poverty alleviation for the underserved community in the area. 
CONGRATULATIONS to Sharol Sandiya Ram (a.k.a SUBASHNI) and Mitieli Kalou who got married in a traditional Christian ceremony in Lautoka on Saturday 3rd November, 2007. The bride looked radiant in her white gown. Subashni has been making cards at FRIEND workshop since 2004. She is profound deaf and so is Mitieli who has also been making cards part time. Being deaf it was obvious they saw only love and not the barriers of race and culture. Both sides of the family were present at the church to give their blessings and bus load of deaf friends came from suva and around the west. It was a blissful ceremony with a lot of happiness. We wish them both a happy wedded life :) Program Activities FRIEND celebrated its 7th Birthday on the 29th of August. The event was hosted a day earlier by the Hibiscus Events Group in Suva as FRIEND participated in the yearly festival. A team of staff travelled from Lautoka to take part in the festivities as well as helping out in the FRIEND stall at the grounds and the float procession in which the FRIEND float depicted a birthday party with its paper quilled cake. The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), through its EU-funded Facilitating Agricultural Commodity Trade (FACT) Project, is assisting FRIEND with development of trade in its value-added agricultural produce. An independent Technical Advisory Group selected FRIEND as one of 14 enterprises to receive technical and other assistance to improve its quality and range of products, especially dried fruits.
FRIEND hosted its annual poverty message higlighter event "Race Around Lautoka" on 11th October. Teams from youth groups, business houses and government organisations participated in this race, deciphering clues as they went along to reach their destinations. A half day event will culminated with prize giving and fun activities at the Churchill Park. Participating teams included Prisons, Sofitel, ANZ as well as a youth group all the way from Ba.
A group of around 25 volunteers got into thier beach gear and cleaned up Saweni Beach on Saturday 26th January, 2008. The beach cleanup was organised by FRIEND youth group led by NZ volunteer JENNY and DEVINA. FRIEND has placed drums for rubbish disposal at strategic location on the beach. Saweni Beach Hotel has committed that they will empty the drums weekly. The clean up cum beach party . was enjoyed by all. 
A group of volunteers waiting to board the bus with their painted drums.
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The Race Around Lautoka 2009 attracted ten teams to the event this year. This saw around forty youths from youth groups, corporate world and government departments competing with each other in their quest to decipher clues on poverty alleviation initiatives and organisations involved with them in the wider Lautoka area. The annual FRIEND event is held to mark the Global Call for Action Against Poverty Month that runs from mid September to mid October. 
FRIEND has launched its IDEA competition to provide an opportunity for the skilled and interested individuals to display their talents and create products using local resources. IDEA or Individuals Developing Entrepreneurship Acumen was launched on the occasion of FRIEND’s 6th birthday by one of FRIEND’s budding entrepreneurs APIMELEKI VAKARAU – the face behind FRIEND’s Fiji Style Sketch Cards. In choosing the personality for the launch Director SASHI KIRAN says VAKARAU symbolizes the thought behind IDEA perfectly. VAKARAU is a parapalegic having suffered rugby injury about nine years ago who strives to put his artwork on cards and bigger pieces to continue to provide for his family. KIRAN says if VAKARAU can put his skills to use to earn a living than there is no reason why the able or not so able can not. IDEA has been launched in recognition of the various talents and skills of the wider community that can be harnessed to churn out creative and innovative goods which in turn can be used in the fight against poverty in Fiji. The competition has been divided into 3 categories, namely, Food, Handicraft and Clothes. The two month competition will culminate in a 2-day Entrepreneurship Convention to be held at the end of October.
