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Luisa Kumkee, a working mother won a trip to Savusavu from FRIEND Mothers Day Promotion."This is the first time for me to win something like this.I received the call on Saturday that I have won a price…I thought someone was just joking but then felt excited, shocked and believed that I have won a price. I bought three FRIEND cards that were sold by some volunteered students of Natabua during the school holidays.I did not really expect that I will have this.
Thank you FRIEND for promoting good things in our young people.” Says the cheerful lady.
The draw for the 2008 FRIEND Mothers Day promotion was held on Saturday at 8 Valetia Street. Winners are as follows:
MAJOR PRIZES Sundressan Reddy,44,Vitogo Lautoka,Air Ticket to Auckland,FRIEND/Macquarie Travel
Kamal,21,Box 118 Ltka,Blue Lagoon Cruise for 2, Blue Lagoon Cruises
Luisa Kumkee,33,Box 124 Ltka Suva - Savusavu - Suva,Air Fiji
Jeanette Reynolds,25,Box 245 Ltka,$250 Prouds Voucher,Prouds
CONSOLATION PRIZES
Nileshni Chand 27,Library,Rice Cooker, Supreme Fuel
Devina,25,Box 3575, Toaster Oven,Supreme Fuel
Ajeshni Monika, KPMG Ltka,Pure Fiji Gift Pack, Pure Fiji
Salote Matatolu,45,Raiwai MH Voucher 1,MH
Verenaisi Kini,24,Ykk Fiji Ltd,MH Voucher2, MH
Soko,PCDF,MH Voucher 3,MH
Robin Rao,22,Box 1502 Ltka,MH Voucher 4,MH
Chovan Pharmacy,25,Box 6119 Ltka,FRIEND HAMPER-Chutney pack,FRIEND
Verenaisi Kini,24,Ykk Fiji Ltd,FRIEND HAMPER-Chutney pack,FRIEND
Vikash Kumar,35, Box 599 Ba, FRIEND HAMPER-Sulu,FRIEND
Rista Anjeeta,21, Box D193 Waiyavi Ltka,FRIEND HAMPER-Chutney pack,FRIEND
Anil Kapadia, P O Box 4329, FRIEND HAMPER-Chutney pack, FRIEND
Muzzaffar Ahmed,20, Box 16450,FRIEND HAMPER-Sulu,FRIEND
FRIEND has added a new vehicle to its fleet with sponsorship from our program partners the Australian Law and Justice Sector Program. The 7 seater PRADO will greatly assist the work FRIEND does for outreach in the rural communities. We would also like to acknowledge the assistance of the Minister for Finance in securing us a duty free concesion on the purchase. The vehicle was recieved by FRIEND with much excitement and pomp and ceremony.
About 15 regional participants from a EU sponsored workshop visited FRIEND office to learn a little bit about what the organisation does. The visit was part of the field trip organised for the participants. The participants bought a few goodies from the IGP display and ended the visit with a photo session in front of the Stand up Against Poverty tyre in front of the office.
FRIEND staff are now strutting their stuff in their brand new designer uniforms. The print is completely local sporting Tagimoucia flowers and FRIEND logo on a beige background with chocolate brown print. Our new uniforms emphasise our team spirit as well as putting putting our name out there in the bold. Photo: Sandhya, Vangeline, Madhu and Aarti
A visitor from Scotland passing through the country, Liz Kingsnorth volunteered her time with FRIEND to share her knowledge on Non Violent Communication. She brought out her jackel and giraffe ears and hand puppets reminding us to use the language of the heart or the language of the giraffe which Liz says is an animal which has the largest heart of all the animals of this earth and to do away with the language of the jackels - the rude and uncouth.Thank you Liz with all the best wishes for your travels.
In 2007 I worked with FRIEND as an ABV volunteer, living in a flat next door to the Lautoka office. The month spent helping the staff develop the website (www.fijifriend.com) and training them in its maintenance was one of the most successful overseas projects I had been involved with. The staff were enthusiastic and keen to learn as I adjusted to the frantic pace of FRIEND activities.
April 2008 was spent in Suva as an ABV volunteer assisting Live & Learn Environmental Education develop their RiverCare web site. The work was similar to what I had done with FRIEND and we successfully developed a clean and informative website (www.rivercarefiji.org).
After completing the Suva assignment I returned to Lautoka for a week to help update the FRIEND website and review some of the publications to make them more effective. I found the FRIEND office even more crowded than in 2007, but the staff were just as enthusiastic and our work went quickly. The staff had been given instructions to "look after Lynn" and managed to involve me in daily staff training sessions as well as ensuring that I was well fed and housed. Truly, the FRIEND staff maintained their reputation as 'friends'.
Shalesh Raj is 28 years of age and the only breadwinner for his family looking after his elderly parents.
"I worked here and there but then I realized that it will be wonderful to be the boss of my own.
Create my own designs, makes me feel good for I gain more ideas day by day and I sold my art work to FRIEND.
My advice to young people would be “Know your inner talents and the qualities in which you can tap into to make a change"
Wow! How often does it happen that the angels appear on our doorsteps. That is seemingly what happened the other day when a group of students from Natabua High School appeared saying "we are here to volunteer with FRIEND". We quickly arranged for them to hit the streets with Friends Fiji Style Handmade Cards and the Mothers Day Promotion Posters. The students accepted the challenge, selling about fifty cards, and also volunteered to continue the Promotion Campaign in the coming weeks. GO NAT!
Apimeleki Vakarau is the artist behind the recently launched Friend's Fiji Style Sketch cards.
Vakarau initially submitted his artwork on wood. The FRIEND team was impressed, but believed it would be hard finding a steady market for Apimeleki's larger pieces. The result is a series of finely detailed cards featuring Apimeleki's sketches.
The Saturday Mornings at FRIEND's are "voice off" mornings. The team gathers in the training room to be led by Subhashni into extending sign language skills. While the older staff at FRIEND are more knowledgeable than the newbies, all seem to enjoy the sessions which is open to interested general public as well. ANANTA is one of our new recruits. She says," I really enjoy taking sign language class since it helps me to communicate with Deaf. It's interesting to see that when we walk in town and talk to Deaf, many outsiders are surprised that how we are able to communicate so well with them. Even my friends are surprised and they ask how are we so good at this. So we try to teach them what we know."
FRIEND is almost ready to launch its latest food product into the market. The trials are complete and production is under way. Now it's just the matter of getting the labels organised. But for those who can't wait to try our freind's Fiji Style Khatai Chutney, it is available through our Friend's Fiji Style Shop at Garden City in Raiwai Suva and our office in Lautoka.
The Foundation for Rural Integrated Enterprises N Development (FRIEND) hosted stakeholders meetings on the 4th of April. This initiative was to inform the leaders of the District of the development work done by FRIEND and seek support and guidance in the community work that is being carried out by FRIEND.
The Foundation for Rural Integrated Enterprises N Development (FRIEND) participated in the NGO showcase at Waterfront Hotel on the 1st of April ,which was organized by Australia/Fiji Community Justice Program sector. It was a opportunity to network with different stakeholders on services they provide in their communities.
The team at the FRIEND Garage Workshop have started on a paper making workshop and are churning out amazing pieces of work. The workshop is also producing paper jewellery and boxes. Check it out!
FRIEND's Fiji Style Chutneys and Pickles are on Flashcard Specials at MH stores nationwide. The 400 jars are selling for $4.99 each. Grab one for yourself, your family and your friends today
QUALITY TASTY FIJIAN
Friend’s Fiji Style Tamarind Chutney, Sweet Mango Chutney, Chilli Chutney Mango Pickle, Lime Pickle, Chilli Pickle
FRIEND continues to be a familiar stall at Suvas monthly ROC Market. Although the faces of our volunteers change the products remain the same - Friends Fiji Style range. Are you yet to try any of our products? Chutneys and pickles, handmade cards, murku, banana chips and handicraft. See you at the next ROC Market!
Anita, Niru, Raj - all smiles at ROC 17/02/08
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.
FRIEND 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.
Participatory Action for Community Empowerment (PACE) facilitated a two day workshop in Ba, with 25 participants from women and youth Leaders representatives. It was great to see the women in rural areas being involved in decision making from their communities. The involvement of the Indo Fijian Women’s group in this workshop was impressive and was an eye opener for the Indigenous Fijian women on how they plan or organize things. The Ba District Officer, Mr Nacanieli Lomani shared a bit of their work with the Community Leaders on the services they provide and how they can access it.
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.
A New Zealand Volunteer, JEN HAMMONDS is in town holding photography workshops at the FRIEND office. A number of students have already taken part in her fun learnign workshops and more inquiries are flowing in as the word spreads. Jen says, "After taking a few photography papers in New Zealand I worked part-time while I was studying as a photographer and graphic designer. Although my skills aren't extensive as a professional photographer I am grateful to be able to share what I know here in Lautoka. The workshop is to help local students develop photography skills that they can use for casual family photos through to more professional photography that they can use in their careers. I am having fun taking the courses and hope that my students are gaining something from it as well!"
Having fun at the workshop
Standing : Tasha, Julie, Kemueli, Jen, Jone, Miri
Sitting : Epeli, Semi
We are looking for a dynamic person to lead our REAL program. NAI COKANASIGA has left for greener pastures to pursue her family dream of a backpackers ersort off Nadi. We wish her all the best. Click here for details
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.
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 IGP Coordinator MALA SEKAR is back form Japan after a 10 week training workshop on Empowerment of Rural Women. She comes armed with an action plan which will be implemented next year.
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 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.Interested in her presentation summary?CLICK HERE for more.
Miss FRIEND Priya Prasad was crowned Miss Charity Sugar Festival 2007 at the closing of the week long event that ended on 6th October 2007. PRIYA, who is profound deaf did well in her objective of raising issues and challenges affecting the deaf community. She also took the opportunity to teach her fellow contestants the basics of sign language. FRIEND also won the 1st prize in the Charitable category for the float
