Seniuci Nai who lost her job in 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic is grateful for the USAID training provided by Friend Fiji.
She highlighted this during a community visit by the Staff Director for Senator James E. Risch of Idaho, and Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chris Socha, Senior Staff member Joann Condon, and Senior Advisor of USAID Pacific Islands Michael Glees.
Nai shared her story as she travelled from Rakiraki to Nadi to display her products.
She says through the food compliance training, organic farming and Business Management training, she has learnt new things, and it has broadened her knowledge as she puts them into practice.
She adds the training supported her financially and helped her use the available natural resources.
Meanwhile, Viliame Nukumasia a participant who also attended USAID training held at FRIEND says from this short training, he was able to get income from activated charcoal soap.
USAID Senior Advisor, Michael Glees expressed their support to FRIEND for the role that they play in developing creative local solutions, access to markets, alternative sources of income, self-reliance and community resilience.
He says FRIEND has demonstrated that American investment made a difference and that was visible with the engagement of 2,300 community members who have been trained in livelihood programs and those who have started microenterprises.
He adds they look forward to strengthening their partnership and this support through more USAID initiatives for the alleviation of poverty work in the future.
