Fiji Water Foundation donates $100,000 worth of children’s books under Read to Lead Program

The Fiji Water Foundation has donated $100,000 worth of children’s books to local Fijian schools through the nationwide reading initiative, ‘Read to Lead’ with its partners Vision Fiji and the Ministry of Education.

‘Read to Lead’ Patron, Mary Bainimarama officiated the handover with Assistant Minister for Education, Joseph Nand, at the Pure Fiji Art Gallery in Vatuwaqa in Suva.

Bainimarama says she is sure these books will be put to good use and she urges all teachers as well as parents to use these valuable resources as precious gifts that will broaden our children’s knowledge and imagination, and also go a long way in boosting our literacy levels.

While accepting the 30,000 books, Assistant Minister for Education, Joseph Nand says the Ministry appreciates these beautifully illustrated books which will also serve as a valuable tool complementing our literacy guide.

Since 2014, the Fiji Water Foundation, in partnership with Australia’s Direct Aid Program, has supported Vision Fiji’s initiative by contributing $700,000 to ‘Read to Lead’ and donating more than 185,000 new children’s books to Fiji’s 735 primary schools.

Foundation Manager, Marie Smith says this year they wanted to inspire our young children to discover the joy of reading and the importance of caring for books.

Smith says they also replaced any damaged books that they had donated between 2014 and now to showcase their commitment to delivering more than 185,000 new children’s books to Fiji’s 735 primary schools.

For the first time, Vision Fiji will also be giving out an "Excellence in Leadership in a Primary School" award to a school that has provided holistic support to students and the community.