As part of its ongoing charitable work in the islands of Fiji, the FIJI Water Foundation recently announced the completion of a library in a remote village on the island of Vanua Levu, the second largest island in the Fijian archipelago. The library will be stocked in part with books gathered by California schoolchildren.

Launched in 2007, the FIJI Water Foundation is a charitable trust funded and supported by FIJI Water’s owners, employees, and partners from around the world. Today, it is one of the largest charitable organizations in the islands.

Sowing a Passion for Reading From California to Fiji

Built for approximately F$13,700, the new library will help foster a passion for reading in the school’s 173 students. Before the library was built, the nearest library was in the town of Savusavu, 100 kilometers — and a F$8 bus fare — away.

The library’s collection will be supplemented by books donated by American school children as part of The Fiji Reads Project.  A group of San Mateo County, Calif., teenagers led by 13-year-old Justin Grodem, an eighth grader at Central Middle School, have been collecting books for Fiji from their community.

The students easily surpassed their initial goal of 500 books, and had over 5,000 when they wrapped up “Boys for Books” in November. The books will be shipped to Fiji by FIJI Water’s shipping line, Neptune Pacific.

“I was surprised to start something and have it be so successful without doing anything big,” Grant Biggers, one of the boys behind the book drive, told the San Mateo County Daily Journal.

Many of the FIJI Water Foundation’s grants are awarded using an innovative 75%-25% system, meaning 75% of the project cost comes from the Foundation, and 25% comes from the local community. The local contribution can be in cash or kind, meaning the donation of labor and/or meals for laborers.

“We try to get the whole village involved because it gives them a sense of ownership and in the end a sense of achievement,” said Fane Niumataiwalu, FIJI Water Foundation Manager.

New Water Project in Wailevu

Just as the Lekutu project is winding down, the Foundation has announced the village of Wailevu as the latest recipient of a Foundation grant. The Wailevu village school was awarded F$15,000 for a new water reticulation system to bring clean water to approximately 150 students. When completed, the new system will allow students access to clean water without the disruption of classes.

A Bittersweet Announcement from the FIJI Water Foundation

Finally, a bit of staffing news from the Foundation: Olive Compain, the much-beloved Foundation Administrator, has left to move to Papua New Guinea. Fane Niumataiwalu will be taking over her responsibilities. Moce mada (“farewell” in Fijian), Olive!