Teachers and a student of Nadi Primary School receive their award from Minister for Local Government, Urban Development, Housing and Environment, Parveen Bala for  scooping first prize in the Primary School Division of the Clean School Program Award 2017. Photo: ANA SOVA.

By ANA SOVA

Participating schools in the Clean School Program 2017 in Nadi were yesterday recognised for their active participation and commitment to waste management practices.

The event was officiated by the Minister Local Government, Urban Development, Housing and Environment, Parveen Bala at the Nadi Town Council Chamber.

The program which was first implemented in 2010 is aimed at promoting environmental education and awareness in Nadi Town.

Long time participant of the program, Sangam Sadhu Kuppuswamy Memorial College scooped the first prize in the secondary school division.

College Assistant Principal, Vinesh Mistry said it was a proud moment for the school.

“We have been involved in this program since 2010. All our students, teachers, the principal, the management and the administration, are all in this together to enhance the program in our school,” Mr. Mistry said.

He said with the program, the school has really been able to minimize waste with the implementation of composting, 3R centric system, etc.

Meanwhile, Nadi Primary School won first prize in the primary school division.

School Headteacher, Mrs. Sharma said they are very active in the program and are determined to carry on with this attitude for years to come and to make Nadi Primary School an unforgettable name in the Clean School Program.

“We are looking forward to tough competitions come next year,” Mrs. Sharma said.

Nadi Town Council Assistant Health Inspector, Nafiza Ali said they had piloted only 11 schools within the town boundary in the program at the beginning in 2010 and have been gradually receiving more schools since.

“After successful dissemination of information about the program and success stories of the pilot schools, we now have 22 schools participating which includes schools from peri-urban and rural areas,” Ms. Ali said.

She said before the implementation of the program in 2010 they had conducted a survey in the 11 pilot schools and found waste management practices in the schools  were not according to the proper waste management system.

“Now with the Clean School Program, a lot of proper waste management practices have been implemented in the schools and we can really witness the improvements especially with the establishment of the 3R centric system in schools,” Ms. Ali said.

She said a guide book for all participating schools have also been formulated.

Ms. Ali adds the program has also spread to other town councils in Fiji and with the support of the Department of Environment all local town councils are now required to implement the Clean School Program.

Bobbi Brown Travel Retail Asia Pacific Regional Education Manager, Carina Choo, Bobbi Brown Fiji Make-Up Artist, Nazrat Hussein and Bobbi Brown Australia Make-Up Artist, June Zheng pictured during the cosmetics brand media launch at  Tappoo Duty Free store, Nadi International Airport earlier today. Photo: MARGARET NAQIRI.

By ANA SOVA

Bobbi Brown Cosmetics has opened its first retail location in Fiji at Tappoo Duty Free shop at the Nadi International Airport.

Founded in 1991 by make-up artist turned entrepreneur Bobbi Brown, the brand launched with 10 brown-based lipsticks and a simple mission: to enhance, not cover up, a woman’s individual beauty.

Bobbi Brown Travel Retail Asia Pacific Regional Education Manager, Carina Choo said they realise that Fiji was becoming a very popular holiday destination with people that embraced beauty and thought it a great opportunity to sell their Bobbi Brown Cosmetics here.

“This is a very great opportunity for us to explore, we always consider looking for new opportunities like this,” Choo said.

She said the brand was all about educating and empowering women about their make-up choices.

“Our responsibility is to make sure our artists are empowered and in their way of teaching the customers as well,” Choo adds.

She said the brand is all about enhancing the natural beauty.

“We are a brand that really promotes natural beauty, it doesn’t mean you don’t wear make-up, but wear make- up that is right for you, colors that are right for you, that enhances your natural features and help you feel more confident and more powerful,” Choo said.

She said they were very grateful to be partnering with Tappoo Fiji.

“Tappoo is a great business partner. We see a great synergy and a great working relationship,” she said.

Meanwhile, Tappoo Executive Director, Harnish Tappoo said they are extremely proud to be representing Bobbi Brown in Fiji.

“Our company is well known for being Fiji’s finest stores. We carry top international brands and we are proud that we have been able to bring the world renown Bobbi Brand to Fiji, as it is one of the best makeup brand,” Mr. Tappoo said.

He adds since Bobbi Brown was opened at Nadi International Airport, they have been extremely pleased with sales and positive feedbacks from customers.

Staffs of Flour Mills Fiji with the NPTC students. Photo: FIJI NATIONAL UNIVERSITY. 

Five students from the Fiji National University’s National Training and Productivity Centre’s (NTPC) National
Apprenticeship Training Scheme have signed on with Flour Mills of Fiji (FMF) for the next four years.

The five apprentices who have signed on are in the Trades of Electrical Engineering and Plant Maintenance programme.

Director NTPC Dr Isimeli Tagicakiverata said through the apprenticeship scheme there was a better balance between theory and practice as students not only received on the job training but they would continue with their theory classes as well.

The Director expressed his appreciation to FMF for signing on the 5 apprentices.

He highlighted that one of NTPC’s agenda was to support the industry and capacity building.

“The Apprenticeship scheme is a very good scheme, something we are supporting at NTPC. And I think we owe it to the industry as they are investing so much in terms of time, supervision and finances on our young people and it’s only fair that we give back that same dedication and commitment to the kind of quality that we put in to our work,” Dr Islimeli said.

“When you come through the apprenticeship scheme you develop this relationship with the employer, with your supervisor, you grow in to the business, you grow into the industry, and you become mature on the job. That is something we believe in very strongly, there is a good balance.”

Dr Isimeli said NTPC would like to see more females joining the Apprenticeship scheme.

FMF Operations Manager Jimi Taniela commended NTPC and the National Apprenticeship scheme for the partnership.

“As a former apprentice it is a positive note to see more students joining the scheme,” Mr Taniela said.

Manager National Apprenticeship Scheme Reenal Chand said there were more than 50 Organisations who are currently training apprentices in Fiji.

Mr Chand said the apprenticeship agreement allowed apprentices to not only gain theory knowledge but also practical as they worked.

He said the apprenticeship contracts were different to the normal employment contracts.

Some of the organisations include Goodman Fielder, British American Tabaco, Natural Water of Viti Limited, Carpenters Motors Limited, Asco Motors Fiji, Niranjans Autoport Limited, Fiji Sugar Corporation Limited, Intercontinental Fiji Golf Resort & SPA, Lincoln Refrigeration Limited, Vatukoula Gold Mines Ltd and many more.

FIJI NATIONAL UNIVERSITY

Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Moore is urging members of the public to remain vigilant as there is a risk of further flooding.

“At the moment surface flooding is widespread in the usual places and we are warning the motorists and pedestrians to stay out of floodwater.”

He said the public needs to be extremely careful and avoid places of known historical flooding or low-lying areas and please do not drive into water of unknown depth and current as this can be life threatening.

“We are closely monitoring the situation of the roads for all divisions and we are urging the public to remain vigilant, tune into the local radio and listen to the advice of the emergency services.”

Ends

Nadi Muslim Primary School 2017 Dux Award recipient, Kristy Murti (center) flanked by her proud parents, Krishna Murti (left) and Isabella Murti (right) pictured at Nadi Muslim Primary School earlier today. Photo: ANA SOVA.

By ANA SOVA

Kristy Murti never expected to be awarded the 2017 Dux award for Nadi Muslim Primary School during the school’s prize-giving day today.

The Year 8 student was speechless after receiving the award from chief guest, Minister for Industry & Trade and Tourism, Faiyaz Koya.

“I worked hard and gave my best in my exams, but I didn’t expect to get the award because I felt there were other students that I was in tight competition with,” Kristy said.

“I’m really happy and grateful”.

The shy fourteen-year-old has dedicated her achievement to her parents, Krishna and Isabella Murti.

“I know that without all the love and support they have given me I wouldn’t have been able to be what am today. I would also like to thank all my friends and teachers who have contributed to my achievement today,” Kristy said.

Kristy’s father, Krishna said he was very proud of his daughter and so was his wife, Isabella.

“Kristy is our only child and we’ve always made sure we provided the best for her and have also encouraged and advised her to work hard in school so that she can achieve a better future,” Krishna said.

Meanwhile, Minister Koya reminded parents and guardians present at the event of their role in the development of their children.

“While the school is an important place for children’s education, families play an equally critical role in the development of their children.  In particular, parents are instrumental in their personal growth and attitudes towards life,” Koya said.

He adds to prepare our children for the future, we need to provide them with the opportunities to develop the generic skills that are needed for them to become lifelong learners.

The Minister for Local Government, Parveen Kumar Bala (center) pictured with students of Votualevu Public School in Nadi during the school’s prize-giving ceremony yesterday. Photo: DEPTFO.

Students of Votualevu Public School in Nadi were have been urged to make use of government’s education policies in the form of scholarships and loan schemes through universities and vocational training programmes.

This was highlighted 21 November by the Minister for Local Government, Parveen Kumar Bala while officiating at the school’s annual prize giving ceremony.

“More Fijians are being educated now and trained in various trades than ever before. This is due to government’s policies to make education fairly and freely available to all Fijians,” Bala said.

Votualevu Public School is one of the first schools to be established in Fiji and is in its 96th year of operations.

It caters for children in the greater Votualevu area, providing pre-schooling for 107 students and primary education for 939 students.

Caption: Radisson Blu Resort Fiji ‘Adopt-A-School’ Surprise Donation with Santa. Photo: RADISSON BLU RESORT FIJI.

Christmas came early for five Schools in Nadi as the Radisson Blu Resort Fiji looped in Santa and
surprised students with candy, projectors and laptops in their final week of school.

The Resort planned to wrap up the yearlong Adopt-A-School programme in a special and merry fashion by including Santa during the last school donation trip for 2017.

Members of the Responsible Business Committee also joined and were given a warm hospitable welcome by Maharishi Sanatan Primary, Votualevu College, Meigunyah Muslim Primary, Nawaka District and Mulomulo Secondary who were grateful for the projectors and laptops while the kids thoroughly enjoyed having Santa at School.

Since the Adopt-A-School establishment in August 2012, the school community has been very
appreciative of the Radisson Blu Resort’s voluntary program and sustainable tourism initiatives.

Impressively to date, the Resort has helped over 30 local schools spending over $400,000 donated
by guests, installed 650 computers, distributing over 80,000 books and setting up 26 libraries all
through strategic planning by the Resorts dedicated Responsible Business Committee.

“The Resort is very proud to be benchmarked on an international level having won the Responsible Business Award in 2014 and 2016 by Carlson Rezidor Group Asia Pacific” says Gerard Knight, General Manager of the Radisson Blu Resort Fiji.

“Through the Adopt-A-School programme we have worked hard to have a positive impact on the educational facilities in local schools and will continue to try and help elevate facilities to assist learning within our local community”.

Every year since it was founded, a special event is hosted by the Radisson Blu Resort to thank all
partners who continue to support the Adopt-A-School programme, and the Resort’s efforts as a
responsible business.

This year’s event held on Monday, 20th November marking 5 years of existence and was also commemorative as the Resort and Committee farewell its Adopt-A-School pioneers, General Manager Gerard Knight and his wife Trish Knight who helped established the programme in late 2012.

The Knight’s passion and commitment to the Adopt-A-School programme and the various sustainable tourism initiatives has set a high standard for the Resort and the work done in the Community, particularly in the field of child education through assisting local schools.

The dedication of Mr. and Mrs. Knight and the Responsible Business Committee to keeping the programme proactive has overcome the many challenges to being a sustainably focused business.
Earlier this month the Radisson Blu Resort Fiji also held an Adopt-A-School competition in which staff were encouraged to nominate Kindergarten’s around Fiji in need of assistance.

To the delight of employees all 12 kindys nominated (all outside of Nadi) won a $350 Kindy pack. “The Responsible Business Committee decided they wanted to wrap up 2017 in high spirits so as a one off, all schools nominated will get a carton of school items this year” says Gerard Knight.

At the thank you cocktail event on Monday, Mr. Knight thanked all partners for their continued support of the Adopt-A-School programme, and assured everyone of the continuing efforts by the team which will now be confidently managed by the Responsible Business Committee and the new General Manager, Mr. John Bendtsen.

RADISSON BLU RESORT FIJI

Executive Police Officers from around the Pacific  during three days training of Understanding Women Withdraw Complains against violent partners, in Nadi. Photo: FWCC

NADI (22 Nov 2017) Executive level Police Officers from around the Pacific spent their third day of training examining some of the reasons why many women withdraw complaints made to the police or decide not to leave violent relationships.

Police officers shared that one of the biggest problems they experience when dealing with domestic violence cases is where women withdraw criminal complaints against their partners.  “It’s hard because it has an impact on how we view domestic violence cases.  Many women wanted to withdraw cases even though they may have been severely assaulted, but then they would often turn up at the police station again several months later to report yet more violence done to them,” said Police officers.

Women who return to their violent husbands are often criticized for their decision but there are a whole host of reasons they go back or drop complaints ranging from a lack of self-esteem, belief in the sanctity of marriage vows, financial dependence and especially because of their children if they have any and in most cases, women have nowhere else to go and there’s lack of support services available and inappropriate responses explained Shamima Ali lead trainer of the police training.

Women often did not want to end their relationship, only wanting the violence to stop, Ali said. However, they often found themselves stuck in a cycle of violence that could often end in a violent death or severe disability for the woman if no intervention was made to change the violent man’s attitudes and behaviors – or if she does not leave, continued Ali.

Another major barrier for a woman to report her partner’s violent behavior is to do with the complicated systems, long processes, inadequate laws and regressive attitudes of police officers and other people involved in the criminal justice system.

Participants include Police from Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Samoa, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Australia.

The workshop began on Monday and  ends today, Friday, 24 November.

FWCC MEDIA

Caption: Radisson Blu Resort Fiji Special School Bed Making Competition. Photo: RADISSON BLU RESORT FIJI.

Monday, 27th November 2017. The Radisson Blu Resort Fiji is recognized on the global platform boasting two Carlson Asia Pacific Responsible Business Awards in three years. The award presented in 2014 and 2016 is a recognition of the Resorts Responsible Business efforts and the ongoing community work done through its ‘Adopt-A-School’ Programme.

Responsible Business is a fundamental facet of the Radisson Blu Resort and aside from assisting the local school community with school materials, library set up, donation of tanks and infrastructure, the Resort is also actively involved with the vocational and special needs schools.

In an effort to up skill and advance special needs students, Julien Racine, Hotel Manager and Mereoni Koroitamana, Executive Housekeeper, ran a two day in-house training session with teachers and students on Workplace Readiness and Expectations.

The first session was for teachers only to equip them with the tools required to prepare their students for joining the workforce. The second day exposed the students to all departments of the Resort and the variety of opportunities to suit individual strengths as well as teaching basics such as personal presentation.

The Resort also conducted a workshop for interview skills, behavior at work and how to make the most out of the training programme.

“It was a fun and educational two-day experience for all and what better way to inject teambuilding
skills than a bed making competition”, says Gerard Knight, General Manager of the Radisson Blu
Resort Fiji.

The Radisson Blu Resort has chosen to lead by example as not many Resort Properties have pried
into the field of special schools and taken proactive and sustainable measures in assisting with
employment and growing opportunities.

Since the Resort started its pilot training programme they have enrolled nine students and hired two who initially started off as trainees.

“The Radisson Blu Resort Fiji is proud to highlight the Special Schools training in its Adopt-A-School Programme and our Responsible Business Committee will nourish this initiative in the years to come”, says Gerard Knight.

Over the years the Responsible Business Committee have been making several visits to Special
Schools in the Western Division with donations and conducting workshops but have now taken bigger steps.

The Resorts training programme is designed to integrate special needs students into the workplace. This has been a great success as the Radisson Blu Resort is now onto its third round of students who are completing workplace training in housekeeping and grounds.

Even more exciting, the Radisson Blu Resort has been a beacon of inspiration leading the way for two other Resorts on Denarau and one industrial organization who will be hiring a special needs student as a data clerk.

“We are very proud of what Radisson Blu has collectively achieved, a true collaboration between the schools, Tony and Kris Bashford and our wonderful Hotel Manager Julien and Executive Housekeeper Mereoni, as well as our amazing Radisson Blu teams who work with the students every day” says Gerard Knight.

RADISSON BLU RESORT FIJI

Dr Pramila Devi, USP’s Lautoka Campus Director presents the award to Kelemedi Gukirewa in Nadi.

Six (6) secondary school students have been awarded prizes for The University of the South Pacific’s (USP) Open Day Essay Competition which ran from June to September 2017.

Students from around the Pacific were encouraged to submit essays on “How USP contributes to the sustainable development of the Pacific region with examples and how you see USP shaping the future of youths in the region” in two categories.The Category 1 competition was for Year 10 and 11 students with a word limit of 1000-1500 words and Category 2 was for Year 12 and 13 students who had to write 2000-2500 words.

Grace Winyan Fong from Fiji’s Yat Sen Secondary School was the winner of Category 1 and won herself an Acer Laptop and six-month velocity package.

The 1st runner up was Kelemedi Gukirewa, who is a Year 11 student at Nadi Muslim College, Fiji, and was awarded FJD1000. The 2nd runner up was Woo Rin Shin, a Year 11 student from Lycée Français J.M.G. Le Clézio De school from Port Vila, Vanuatu, received FJD500.

The Category 2 competition winner was Vanessa Mitchell, who is a Year 12 student from Swami Vivekananda College, Fiji. Vanessa won an Acer Laptop and Brother Printer.

Janet Salata, a Year 13 student at Aligengeo Secondary School, Solomon Islands was the 1st runner up and received FJD1000 while Shouvik Hassan from Jai Narayan College was awarded FJD500 as the 2nd runner up.

The schools of the first prize winners in both categories were also awarded FJD2000 each, sponsored by USP Book Centre.

The aim of running the competition was to let students know about the University’s 50th anniversary in 2018 and to gauge the knowledge students have about USP.

The Judging Panel of the essay competition included, Professor Vijay Naidu of Faculty of Business and Economics as the Chair, Dr Ledua Waqaliti from Faculty of Arts, Law and Education, Dr Bibhya Sharma from Faculty of Science, Technology and Environment and Mr Jaindra Karan, Director Development, Marketing Communications and Alumni.

The judging panel placed particular emphasis on the originality and communication, depth of understanding that the students have of USP, and proper use of language and vocabulary in the essays submitted.

Mr Karan congratulated all the winners for their excellent research, content and use of language, which, he noted was clearly reflected in their entries for the competition.

Talking about the essay topic, Mr Karan said that one of the aims of choosing such topic was to encourage students to know not only about the University but its importance in the region as well.

He added that this was because when the students come to USP, they not only interact with students from their communities but from around the region.

Mr Karan acknowledged the sponsors for the prizes, namely, Telecommunications Fiji Limited (TFL) and USP Bookcentre.

For Grace, the announcement came as a surprise. She said that winning the competition was beyond her expectation and thanked her Principal, Ms Miriama Naicegucegu for motivating her to enter into the competition.

“USP is one of the major universities in the Pacific region so of course it will contribute a lot to the sustainable development, its programmes are also recognised internationally and at the same time they are relevant to the Pacific,” Grace said.

Shouvik dedicated his award to his parents, English teacher and friends at Jai Narayan College and thanked USP for the initiative in running the competition.

He commented that the education system at USP is very precise and focuses on students’ goals and produces very ambitious and focused graduates.

Shouvik said that the University should continue to run such competition and encouraged fellow secondary school students to grab such opportunities as they come by.

Mrs Naicegucegu, Principal of Yat Sen Secondary congratulated the winners and acknowledged both the Suva schools for maintaining their standards.

She thanked the University for setting the platform of trying to identify the talents students have in the member country schools.

“I am glad that in its 50th year, the University is providing such platform for secondary school students and getting their talents recognised, and I must thank the University for this,” Mrs Naicegucegu said.

She emphasised that setting such trend is the responsibility of school leaders and added that all teachers have a duty to recognise the talent within the students and develop them.

16-year-old Kelemedi from Nadi acknowledged the support of his English teacher, Mrs Sandesh Singh and thanked his sisters for assisting him in editing the essay.

Kelemedi said that he is now confident and motivated to participate in more such competitions in the future.

“This competition has boosted my confidence and I hope to compete again if I am given another opportunity in the future,” he said.
His essay talked about a girl from a small island in Fiji who attended USP where she learned about renewable energy and USP’s role in sustainable development.

Dr Pramila Devi, USP’s Lautoka Campus Director made the presentation on behalf of the University at Nadi Muslim College’s Annual Awards Function on 22 November.

Campus Director’s from USP’s Solomon Islands and Emalus Campus will present the awards to the winners from Solomon Islands and Vanuatu respectively.

USP 

CAE A330 Simulator 2- Pic Courtesy of CAE (1).Photo:Fiji Airways

 Fiji Airways, Fiji’s National Airline, has confirmed the acquisition of a second CAE full-flight simulator for the Fiji Aviation Academy. The A330 full-flight simulator will be installed at the Academy facility in Namaka, Nadi. A deal for the first simulator, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft simulator from CAE was announced in the second half of 2017.

Fiji Airways Managing Director and CEO Mr. Andre Viljoen said: “Our plans for the Fiji Aviation Academy are progressing well, and we’ve now accounted for two of the three simulators we will have at the facility. We’re very pleased to again select CAE, this time for an A330 simulator.

CAE A330 Simulator 1 – Pic Courtesy of CAE

This is a key part of Phase 1 of the Fiji Aviation Academy. We have also allocated space for a third simulator bay at the Academy for any future expansion opportunities.”

Once complete, the state-of-the-art Fiji Aviation Academy will offer a world-class training facility for pilots with fixed training devices. In Phase 2, the Academy will offer ab-initio training for cadet pilots.

Mr. Viljoen added: “Our vision is to ensure we provide our own pilots the very best in training facilities right here in Fiji.

The added benefit of selling simulator time to pilots from abroad coming here for simulator training will further boost the local economy, and position Fiji as the true aviation hub of the Pacific”.

CAE is a global leader in the delivery of training for the civil aviation, defence and security and healthcare markets.

Its global presence is the broadest in the industry with 160 sites and training locations in 35 countries, including joint venture operations and world’s largest installed base of flight simulators.The Fiji Aviation Academy is expected to open in 2019.

FIJI AIRWAYS & FIJI AVIATION ACADEMY

The people of Nadi crowded at the Digicel Roadshow in Nadi. Photo: LUKE NACEI

Digicel Fiji today announced a great Christmas offer ‘Stay in Touch’ that will see customers receiving a FREE Samsung smartphone with purchase of a Christmas Top Up Bundle from all Digicel stores from tomorrow.

This offer is aimed at providing customers with what matters most, ‘People and Relationships,’ and with that, Digicel Fiji is offering customers Christmas Top Up Bundles valued at $79 and $149 with a FREE Samsung smartphone, credit to talk and text any local mobile and landline, including top 15 international countries and 1GB data.

Digicel Fiji Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mike Greig said ‘Stay in Touch’, will provide customers great value during this festive season.

“We know a lot of us look for gifts during this time of giving and this offer will fit in with the season. All customers receive a FREE Samsung J1 Mini smartphone with the $79 Christmas Top Up Bundle, and a Samsung J1 smartphone with the $149 Christmas Top Up Bundle.”

“We strive to improve on the products and services we roll out to our customers so that they get more value for their money. Christmas is a time when we want to stay in touch with family and friends, you can freely do that without having to worry about extra costs with the $79 and $149 Digicel Christmas Top Up bundles to call and text loved ones at home and overseas. We want our customers to feel the love with ‘Stay in Touch’, Christmas Top Up Bundle and share your love, spread the spirit of Christmas and laugh together in this joyous occasion.”

DIGICEL FIJI

Digicel Fiji’s Public Relations and Sponsorship Manager Satish Narain (far right) with some Digicel customers at their Outlet in Nadi today. Photo: LUKE NACEI

Digicel Fiji today announced a massive $50,000 cash prize pool in the festive season Top Up and Win promotion.

Digicel Fiji Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mike Greig said,” It’s a simple festive season offer offering a load of cash for our valued customers, whereby four of them will be taking hard cash for just topping up their mobile phones this festive season. The more our customers top up, the more entries they get to better their chances of hitting the cash jackpot.”

“Once again, as we approach Christmas and New Year holidays, we have come up with something to enrich the experience of our customers and we are highly expectant of the thrills this Top Up and Win Cash promotion will generate in the coming six weeks.”

Digicel customers will need to top up for minimum $6 to receive 12 entries in the draw, $10 top up will get 30 entries, $15 top up receives 60 entries and top up of $25 or more gets 125 entries.

“The winners will be picked randomly on Saturday, 13^th January 2018 with the top prize of $20,000 while there will be three more winners of $10,000 each. “

The Top Up and Win Cash promotion starts tomorrow and ends on Sunday, 7^th January 2018.

DIGICEL FIJI

Digicel Fiji Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mike Greig. Photo: Digicel

Sky Pacific today announced a major festive season promotion for new Sky Triple Play customers, all new signups will instantly receive free Digicel mobile data and go into the draw to win a major prize.

Digicel Fiji Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mike Greig said, our new Triple Play customers are going to benefit from the new promotion which will run through Christmas and New Year season.

“All new Triple Play signups will receive 10GB Digicel mobile data, and all will also go into a draw where 6 winners will each receive a Samsung 43inch Smart Television on Friday 19^th January, 2018.”

“It’s a season of giving and we would like to reward our customers by giving them a chance to own a new Smart TV in the New Year.

The Triple Play Home Bundle offers Sky Pacific, an Unwired broadband package, and a set of two exclusive Free Calling SIMS bundled for just $79.95 per month.

The Unwired broadband is a 100GB package available exclusively with the Triple Play package.  Two free SIMs provides Unlimited Free Calls within the Family group and Double Up with Free Credit to call Any Network. This Triple Play bundle offers enormous value and generates incredible savings for families.”

This promotion starts tomorrow and ends on 31^st December 2018.

DIGICEL FIJI

PASH is promoting spay / neuter (de-sexing) programs to truly end the stray dog and cat issues. Photo: PASH.

A new charitable organisation in Nadi is seeking the community support through donations in cash  to assists in equipping and furnishing the new animal welfare facility.

The Pacific Animal Shelter and Hospital (PASH) has begun construction of the shelter and hospital in Legalega, Nadi.

Pacific Animal Shelter and Hospital (PASH)director Marie Peyman.

PASH director Marie Peyman said the 26 room facility which was under construction on eight –acre site was purchased by a generous donor from the United States of America, would complete by 2018.

However, she said, the funding for the purchase of the land and construction of the facility has been donated besides the organisation are now seeking to raise funds to equip the hospital and furnishing the facility.

“The group would depend on community involvement and fundraising to equip the facility by means it does not provide for anything beyond that,” she added.

Ms Peyman said the team already reaching out to the government for assistance in other areas and with good hope all may work together, along with the existing animal welfare organizations, to reach common goals.

She said the initiatives took place three years ago by group of trustees who grab the opportunity to review the animal health welfare in Fiji and became the co-founders of PASH.

“Suprisingly, we saw a tremendous need in Fiji to address the stray and neglected street animals throughout the towns and rural areas,” she said.

She added the team became aware of the limited medical facilities available to treat domestic animals.

“We discovered many people in Fiji with the same concerns and a few of us decided to come together to discuss how we could make a substantial contribution within Fiji to address these problems,” she said.

She believed a facility was needed, which would be large enough to shelter numerous animals as well as to provide for medical procedures and surgeries.

Meantime, the Project is primarily for companion animals like dogs and cats but the organisation are very committed to dealing with the stray animals issue and want it to be an open shop so that everybody is comfortable coming to seek help for their pet.

ENDS

 From Right: Ms. Brett Jones, USAID/Pacific Islands, Mr. Lee Baker, Chief of Party, USAID Climate Ready, Ms. Hazel Kirkham, Principal Partner, Breadfruit Consulting, Mr. Nicholas Ting, Acting Divisional Planning Officer Northern from the office of the Commissioner Northern and Mr. Mike Worsp, Head of Business Support, Kontiki Finance. Photo: SUPPLIED.

On November 30, the United States government, in partnership with the Fiji Business Disaster Resilience Council and the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation, will launch a Business Continuity Planning – Train the Trainers program at the Takia Hotel for businesses in Labasa, Fiji to better prepare for natural disasters. The training is part of the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Ready project, which is strengthening the environmental and disaster resilience of Pacific Island nations.

Natural disasters have a major impact on Fiji’s businesses and the economy as a whole. According to the Fiji government’s post-disaster assessments, Tropical Cyclone Winston caused FJD$1.99 billion in damages and losses in total. Through this 2 day training, 20 participants will learn about business continuity planning, the role of first responders, and how climate variability affects businesses. They will also learn about government services and disaster management plans. These measures not only help businesses better prepare for disasters, but also position them to effectively contribute to recovery efforts.

Following the training program, which will also be implemented in Suva later this month, participants will be certified to mentor other businesses and private sector organizations across the country.

USAID’s five-year Ready project strengthens the capacity of governments and institutions to develop and implement effective environmental and disaster mitigation policies and strategies. Ready works in 12 Pacific Island nations: Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

US EMBASSY 

A total of 575 books have been  donated to the Nadi Town Council library by Prouds. Of these, 334 are Shakespeare titles, 218 are non-fiction titles while 23 are easy to read educational books for beginners and younger students.

While accepting the donation on Thursday, November 30, Nadi Town Council CEO Peter Dinning thanked the management of Prouds for making such an invaluable contribution towards their library.

“It’s a wonderful donation and we are very honoured and privileged by your generosity,” Mr  Dinning said.

“Those who will have the opportunity to come and read these books and partake in the library activities will be very appreciative,” Mr Dinning said.

“I am excited about the variety of the books and also the subject matter and the value and quality of these books, they’re wonderful.” Nadi Town Council librarian

Anita Naidu said she is very impressed with the range of books as it will add more value to the services being offered by the library.

“We will be happy to share some of these books with neighbouring colleges as well as we see there are some good titles with more than one copy,” Ms Naidu said.

“A very big thanks to Prouds and Motibhai Group for their timely support.”

Prouds category team leader Rohinesh Prakash while handing over the books said it was an honour to give something back to the community.

“We hope these books will enhance the education and general knowledge of our library patrons and convey our best wishes and greetings to the entire management and staff of the Nadi Town Council,” Mr Prakash said.

MOTIBHAI GROUP OF COMPANIES

Visitors arrive as part of the Spirit of Sharing programme at Nadi Sangam School. Photo: DEPTFO.

More than 100 children from across Fiji’s Western Division gathered at the Nadi Sangam School on Monday to welcome over 300 visitors from Australia as part of the Spirit of Sharing annual celebrations.

The visitors were greeted by smiling children and youths, handicraft markets, fresh fruits prepared from the Red Cross and popular songs from both countries.

The Minister for Youth and Sports, Hon. Laisenia Tuitubou, acknowledged the arrival of the guests and said that the celebration was timely as the festive season is also fast approaching.

“This is the 5^th year that the charitable organization, The Spirit of Sharing (SOS), has partnered with the Ministry of Youth and Sports to collaborate on an afternoon festival which brings together youth from both countries to engage in the exchange of song, dance, and sport,” Minister Tuitubou said.

“The partnership recognizes and reflects the mutual vision shared by both organizations – to empower youths in Fiji in personal development through opportunities in cultural exchange and sports.”

Spirit of Sharing, founded by Chairperson, Peter Cole, in 2000, gathers donated sporting equipment to distribute across schools in the Asia Pacific.

Part of their mission includes cross-cultural events like the celebrations in Nadi, which aims to facilitate the distribution of donations while bringing Fijian and Australians together face-to-face for food, fun, and laughter.

Youth clubs and schools who showcased their talents through dance and song performances included Ghandi Bhawan Primary School, Lovu HART Kindergarten, Fiji Wow Entertainment, Vakatora Housing Youth Club, Namotomoto Youth Club, PYGMIES, and the Yahweh Youth Club. Handicrafts were provided by Lovu HART Women’s Club.

This was the third event of the year, the first 2 were held on 20 and 22 November at the same location in Nadi with a new group of visitors from Australia and Fijian friends.

DEPTFO

FIJI AIRWAYS