Australian aid helps Fiji communities

October 22, 2007

Five local community projects have received grants from the Australian High Commission to help improve the quality of life and education in their area.

The grants, which range from $3,000 to $10,000, are the latest under the Australian High Commission’s Direct Aid Program (DAP).

In Ra, funding provided to the Bureivanua District School will assist in the renovation of classroom facilities to enhance the standard of education for children from surrounding areas.

Self-help opportunities will also be further strengthened with the grant given to the Vatoa Youth Group in Ovalau to purchase an outboard motor, farming tools and a sewing machine to enhance self-employment opportunities.

A grant provided to the Rabi Women’s Group to build a bakery will provide income-generation opportunities for women on the island while in Naitasiri, disabled and elderly people will benefit from the purchase of building materials as part of renovations under the Naitasiri Housing Project.

And in Suva, the CWM Counselling Unit has been awarded a DAP grant to assist in the expansion of the current premises so that more people can have access to counselling services.

The Direct Aid Program (DAP) aims to assist developing countries reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development by addressing humanitarian issues.