The Foundation for Rural Integrated Enterprises and Development (FRIEND) is celebrating 25 years of community service this year, marking a milestone that reflects a quarter-century of empowering vulnerable communities across Fiji.
Founded by journalist-turned-community development worker, now Minister for Women Sashi Kiran, in December 2001, FRIEND began with a vision to address poverty in rural communities and create sustainable opportunities for those most in need.
Speaking on the journey of building FRIEND on fijivillage Her-Story with Temalesi Vono, Kiran says many people doubted the organisation would succeed when it first began.
She recalled being told repeatedly that its business model would not work, but said she remained determined to prove otherwise.
Kiran says she believed that if something was worth doing and driven by the right reasons, persistence would eventually overcome the obstacles.
Reflecting on the organisation's achievements, she says many of its milestones came from curiosity rather than a desire for recognition, including establishing FRIEND at the age of 28 and later being appointed chair of the Pacific Organic Ethical Trade Community.
Kiran describes that appointment as one of her most emotional moments, saying it was an honour to be recognised by leaders across the Pacific.
As FRIEND celebrates its 25th anniversary, the organisation enters a new chapter following Kiran's resignation, with Acting Chief Executive Officer Viloki Gohil now leading its operations.
FRIEND Fiji is an organisation that helps develop and support rural, underserved, and informal communities across Fiji’s Western, Northern, and Central divisions, with a strong focus on including vulnerable groups such as people with disabilities, widows, single parents, orphans, and former prisoners.
