“LUVEI VITI”(CHILDREN OF FIJI)
A Fiji Community Charitable & Support group
Vision
- To Promote Multicultural Diversity & harmony within Fiji communities in Aotearoa & Fiji
- Participate & Engage in Community Projects that promotes an atmosphere of Racial tolerance.
- Promote Traditional Knowledge, Language, Art & Crafts, Music, Food.
- Be an Advocate & a voice for the lesser fortunate & those that are marginalised.
- Support Educational & Developments at all levels
- Make a difference in Society
- Be a source of Hope for those that need help in the Community.
- Contribute & Honour Partnership Agreements with relevant Authorities that Luvei Viti (Children of Fiji) Community group aligns with and which has formal arrangments.
Mission Statement
To be a Charitable arm within our Fiji Community working closely with Save the Children New Zealand for their work in Fiji. To be an Advocate as well as to promote Multi – Cultural Diversity & Harmony. Create & promote an awareness of Te Reo Maori as well as learning the Maori Traditional Culture as well as the Kiwiana. Develop & promote Trdaitional Knowledge of the Fijian Customs & its values.
Objectives
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To be a Charitable & Non Profit body within Fiji Community in Aotearoa.
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To celebrate Children & Youths, Families, members of Fiji Community & Friends of Fiji.
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To work & align with Save the Children in their work in Fiji, the P
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To be a source of hope & support for those that are lesser fortunate
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To promote and provide Education & Social opportunities for our Children, Youths & Friends of Fiji.
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To facilitate interactive communication within the community & promote cultural activities.
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To promote a Diverse & Multi cultural approach in all our dealings
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To Embrace and Enhance Racial Harmony
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To increase the ‘ Luvei Viti’ Community group profile
Strategies
“Luvei Viti” aims to provide a Network base through:
- Develop & have an ongoing evaluations of Projects as well as Fiji Community needs
- Voluntary support for Children/Youths/Families of Fiji Communities & Friends ofFiji
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Orgainsing Key Projects for the benefit of the wider Communities with a focus on Fiji Community as proposed by The Trustees , Advisors & Core Team for Luvei Viti (Children of Fiji)
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News briefs & email briefs to all who are keen supporters of our Projects & the wider community
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Links & support for Save the Children New Zealand & other relevant Authorities.
- Links & support for New Zealand Diversity Programmes
6 Reach out Programs via Fijian & Hindi Radio networks & other media links
7 Social, sporting & fun events
8 Annual event or Fun day on Fiji Day Celebrations.
9 Annual meeting.
Activities
We promote and encourage social interactions & togetherness amongst our Children, Youths, families & Friends of Fiji. In doing so, we embrace & promote a climate and environment of multi cultural diversity & harmony.
We aim to raise awareness and raise funds for the marginalised and the lesser fortunate children & youths back in Fiji. Funds raised will be donated to Charity.
We encourage relevant feedback from our members, the community, our friends & supporters as well as our sponsors. We aim to be transparent and accountable to the authorities and to those that support our cause. We promote Cultural Diversity at all levels.
Membership
“Luvei Viti” or “Children of Fiji” is made up of like minded voluntary members who are willing to give up their time to support our Vision & Mission Statements.
There are no set fees for membership.
Members Receive
Representation on charitable & community activities
A vehicle for promoting multicultural diversity & harmony.
Email network news & shorttakes & promotional of Educational materials on Fiji & its culture
How to become a Member.
Membership is free. Members could join on their own volition or through invitation.
History
The idea to form a Fiji support group for Save the Children was mooted in 2001. It was after the Fiji High Commissioner; H.E. Mr Bal Ram invited a group of Fiji Community & Friends of Fiji to a reception hosted at the Fiji High Commission in Pipitea Street.
Presentation was given by, a young lady, Mereia Tavola working in Save the Children Fiji office on the plight of the lesser fortunate children back home in Fiji. She was supported by Elizabeth Gibbs & Neelima Bhula from Save the Children, National Office in Wellington, New Zealand.
An initial discussion then took place at the National Office for Save the Children in Wellington where Elizabeth Gibbs met with Elisapeci Samanunu (Fiji Community) to discuss the logistics of forming a support group.
A follow up meeting was then set up with His Excellency Mr Bal Ram, Fiji High Commissioner where Mrs Sashi Johkan & Elisapeci Samanunu had the priviledge to discuss the matter further.
The result was fruitful and a core group of like minded members of the Fiji Community was formed.
The Core group had been able to organise fun events and concerts for the Children, youths & friends of Fiji during our Fiji Day celebration each year thereafter. With encouraging support from Save the Children New Zealand through Neelima Bhula and Liz Gibbs we were able to donate a small amount of funds towards their kitty for Save the Children’s work in Fiji
The momentum has grown over the years and last year, 2004, the Core group received a certificate of recognition from the Office of the Race Relation Commissioner for promoting cultural diversity. There was also a good coverage in the Wellington’s Dominion Post newspaper about our event.
Our Core group has maintained that the younger generations, their families & friends of Fiji will be a big part of our planned celebrations each year when we celebrate Fiji Day on or around 10th October each year. It was agreed that a target fund, amount to be determined by the Core committee be raised each year and donated to Save the Children New Zealand for their work in Fiji.
The Core Committee had been advised to have a name and we unanimously agreed to call ourselves the ‘Luvei Viti or Children of Fiji as the best suited name for our cause. This new name is the brainchild of Taka & Kaliti Kolinisau and we sincerely thank them.
Our goal as stated is to celebrate our children, youths & friends of Fiji and at the same time remember the lesser fortunate children back home in Fiji through our gifts of funds raised each year. The amount will be calculated after all expenses have been paid and a small residual amount to be banked in our “Luvei Viti” account as working capital.
On a final note, in the event of the ‘Luvei Viti’ or Children of Fiji winding down, after all payment has been made to any outstanding arrears, all asset and funds will be donated to Charity, in this instance, Save the Children New Zealand.
The Board of Trustees for ‘Luvei Viti’ named in this document will be the sole authorities of the said “Luvei Viti” Charitable Trust.
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Refer lists of Trustees & Members of Advisory.