To help fight the spread of HIV/AIDS, Vodafone ATH Fiji Foundation donated $32,000 to support community health training that will educate and empower young Fijians across the country.
Vodafone ATH & ATH Foundation CEO and Director Ivan Fong highlights that the grant supports the Certificate III in Community Health programme, which will benefit 14 provinces and 2 island councils.
He emphasises that the programme will train young Fijians to become educators, counsellors, and ambassadors of health, stressing that these young people will return to their villages not just as graduates, but as role models—living examples of the training’s outcomes and working to ensure the Vanua is protected and nurtured.
Higher Education Commission Chair Steve Chand stresses that this initiative will equip individuals with the knowledge and skills to lead HIV awareness and prevention efforts within their communities.
He further noted that the training will be delivered by the Australia Pacific Management and Training Team and highlighted the seriousness of the rising number of HIV cases, including the youngest reported case being just 14-years-old.
Assistant Minister for Health, Penioni Ravunawa, says that the initiative brings training directly to the provincial level—empowering people and ensuring they receive professional information, skills, and a clear understanding of the health risks that are no longer confined to urban centres, but have now reached every village and island settlement across the country.
He adds that this effort will help the population better understand the risks of HIV and AIDS, dismantle stigma, and realise the national commitment that no Fijian should face discrimination or isolation because of their HIV status.
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