What are the opening hours?

Monday 08:30 - 16:30 Tuesday 08:30 - 16:30 Wednesday 08:30 - 16:30 Thursday 08:30 - 16:30 Friday 08:30 - 16:30 Saturday 08:30 - 13:00

Foundation for Rural Integrated Enterprises & Development

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Foundation for Rural Integrated Enterprises & Development

FRIEND is a homegrown NGO based in Fiji, working toward poverty alleviation through social and economic empowerment www.friendfiji.com

Our Youtube Channel :
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTxOgdTliUEymnPSl3EyuZA

03/06/2026

🌿 Strengthening Grassroots Agribusiness & Climate Resilience in Baleyaganiga!

This week, FRIEND partnered as consultants with Live and Learn Fiji to deliver an intensive, 2-day Value Chain & Business Financial Literacy Training in Baleyaganiga Village, Cakaudove. Funded under the EnABLE Project (supported by the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways and the World Bank), this initiative directly empowers rural communities—particularly women—to transform local harvests into sustainable, market-ready enterprises while promoting climate-smart land use.

Moving beyond theory, our team facilitated high-impact, practical sessions designed to build immediate economic resilience:
• Value-Addition & Technology: Participants gained hands-on experience operating production machinery, mastering food safety protocols, and utilizing compliant packaging and labeling to meet formal market standards.
• Financial Literacy & Governance: The cohort mapped out business budgeting through practical shopping list exercises, mastered accurate product costing for sustainable profit margins, and navigated the legal steps for rural business registration.

By bridging the gap between raw agricultural production and formal business management, we are creating measurable, scalable models of economic self-reliance.
Vinaka vakalevu to Live & Learn Fiji for a fantastic collaboration. When NGOs align strengths, we deliver high-yield outcomes for community development.

01/06/2026

🌞💡 Bringing Light, Safety and Protection to Vudibasoga Catholic Boarding School 💡🌞

Reliable lighting is essential for the safety, wellbeing, and protection of children.

FRIEND is grateful to have completed the installation of solar floodlights and streetlights at Vudibasoga Catholic Boarding School, located in the interior of Seaqaqa, Macuata, approximately 30 minutes from Seaqaqa Town.

The school provides education and boarding facilities for children aged 6–13 years, including students from across the three provinces of Vanua Levu. With no access to electricity, students and staff previously faced significant challenges after dark, particularly when moving between dormitories, footpaths, washroom areas, and other parts of the school compound.

Through this solar lighting initiative, lights have now been installed around key areas of the school, including footpaths, washrooms, outdoor spaces, and the wider school compound. These improvements strengthen child safety and safeguarding by reducing risks associated with dark and isolated areas, supporting safer movement at night, and giving students, teachers, and caregivers greater peace of mind.

For boarding schools, especially those caring for young children, safe infrastructure is not optional. It is part of creating a protective and supportive learning environment where children can feel secure, cared for, and able to thrive.

We sincerely thank Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade through the Australian NGO Program and Caritas Australia for making this important project possible and for helping improve safety and wellbeing for children in remote school.

31/05/2026

📍 **Enhancing Disaster Preparedness in Lakeba Village, Namuka,Macuata

A 3-day Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) training was recently carried out at Lakeba Village, with strong participation from community members committed to improving their readiness and resilience.

The training sessions focused on key areas such as understanding Disaster Risk Reduction, exploring Climate Change Adaptation, and identifying the different types of disasters that may affect the community.

Participants were actively involved in a variety of practical exercises designed to strengthen their skills, including:
🔹 Developing a Disaster Timeline
🔹 Preparing a Seasonal Calendar
🔹 Conducting Community Mapping activities
🔹 Completing IDA forms
🔹 Learning the components of a Disaster Response Plan

On the final day, participants engaged in a simulation exercise, where they applied their knowledge through role play, demonstrating how to respond effectively in disaster situations.

This training provided valuable tools and insights to help the community better prepare for and respond to future challenges.

🙏 Vinaka vakalevu to Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade through the Australian NGO Program and Caritas Australia for the initiative in the Northern Division.

25/05/2026

WE ARE HIRING: Join our team at FRIEND! We are hosting walk-in interviews for a Security Officer position at our Headquarters.

📅 Date: Wednesday, 27th May 2026
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Location: FRIEND Headquarters, Tuvu, Lautoka

What to bring:
An updated CV
An Application Letter

Come prepared to showcase your skills and take the next step in your career. We look forward to meeting you tomorrow!
For any inquiries, please contact us at (679) 8983183.

24/05/2026

We are looking for passionate, driven individuals to join the FRIEND Fiji family at our Tuvu Headquarters.

We are currently hiring for:
Production Team Leader: Lead our production line, manage raw materials, and ensure we meet the highest standards for our FRIEND Fiji style products.
How to Apply:
📩 Email your CV to: [email protected]
📍 Hand deliver to: FRIEND Head Office, Tuvu, Kings Road, Lautoka.
Deadline for applications: 30th May 2026

Check out the flyers below for full details on person specifications and key responsibilities. Join us in making a difference through sustainable, local production! 🇫🇯

21/05/2026

25 years of commitment to the community!!

We are grateful to Star Printery for their kind sponsorship of the special 25th Anniversary labels for our FRIEND Fiji Style® products.

As FRIEND marks 25 years of service, partnership, and community impact, these labels carry more than just our brand — they represent the hands, stories, and resilience of the communities behind every product.

Thank you, Star Printery, for being part of this milestone and for supporting local enterprise, community livelihoods, and the journey of FRIEND.

19/05/2026

We are Hiring!!

Training & Livelihood Officer– Lautoka

✨ We’re looking for team players who are reliable, hardworking, and eager to learn

Please send your applications to [email protected] or submit a hard copy to Lautoka Office.

A driving license will be an added advantage.

12/05/2026

🌿 Organic Farm Management Training & Financial Literacy Training at Dreketi Lailai 🌿
Community members of Dreketi Lailai, including elderly, men, women, and youth, came together for an important training on Organic Farming and Financial Literacy. The training encouraged families to build healthier lifestyles, stronger livelihoods, and better financial management for the future.

🌱 Organic Training Topics:
✅ Benefits of Organic Farming
✅ Pest Management Techniques
✅ Organic Manure made from local materials
✅ 9x9 Farming Model
✅ Traditional farming methods practiced by our ancestors
✅ Healthy living through natural and chemical-free food
Participants learned how organic farming can help families save money, reduce sickness, and provide healthy food for the household and community.

💰 Financial Literacy Topics:
✅ Understanding Needs and Wants
✅ Budgeting
✅ Managing Income and Expenses
✅ Saving Bucket Methods
✅ Managing Money Wisely

The financial literacy session encouraged families to plan carefully, save for the future, and make wise financial decisions to support their households and community development.

Together we continue to promote sustainable agriculture, healthy living, and stronger, financially resilient communities. 🌿

Special thanks to Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade through the Australian NGO Program and Caritas Australia for supporting community development initiatives.

08/05/2026

We were honored to host a high-level visit yesterday from Ms. Tuya Altangerel, the Resident Representative for the United Nations Development Programme - UNDP UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji.

It was a privilege to walk Ms. Altangerel through our facilities, from our bustling production center to the authentic flavors of Tukuni Restaurant. More importantly, it was an opportunity to share the heart of what we do.

At FRIEND, we don’t just address symptoms; we tackle challenges through our Integrated Holistic Approach. We shared how our four core pillars work in harmony to create lasting change:

📈 Economic: Empowering communities through sustainable livelihoods.
🤝 Social: Building inclusive support systems for the vulnerable.
🏥 Health: Promoting wellness and food security from the ground up.
🌪️ Disaster: Strengthening resilience and rapid response for our people.

Thank you, Ms. Altangerel, for your time, your insight, and your commitment to the development of our Pacific communities!

06/05/2026

FRIEND was pleased to participate in the Fiji Sustainable Tourism Workshop held recently at the Tanoa International Hotel.

Hosted by the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) and SPREP through the Pacific Ocean Litter Project (POLP), this workshop is a vital step toward phasing out single-use plastics and building a more resilient, environmentally conscious tourism sector.
At FRIEND, we believe that sustainable tourism and community empowerment go hand-in-hand.

We are excited to bring these insights back to our work, supporting local communities in creating sustainable livelihoods that honor our environment.
Together, we are building a greener, more resilient Fiji! 🌏🌱

Address

Lautoka

Opening Hours

Monday	08:30 - 16:30
Tuesday	08:30 - 16:30
Wednesday	08:30 - 16:30
Thursday	08:30 - 16:30
Friday	08:30 - 16:30
Saturday	08:30 - 13:00

Telephone

+6798983183

Website

http://www.friendfiji.com/

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