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FIJI Water Foundation, which was established to help communities in Fiji by improving their daily life, has urged other businesses in Fiji to join hands in improving the quality of life for local people.

Fiji Water director external affairs and development David Roth said the foundation was launched in August last year with the aim of donating money to development projects in priority areas such as health, education and provision of water and infrastructure projects in Fiji.

Mr Roth said the foundation believes big businesses such as Fiji Water should try to give back to the community and this was their way of making sure the quality of life for people in Fiji improved.

He said the foundation was inviting proposals from non-government organizations on projects which were in line with the foundation's priority areas.

"We have been overwhelmed by the response we received from organizations on projects they require funding for and we have granted funding for some projects including water projects for Rotary Pacific Water for Life Trust, Savusavu Community Foundation for their eye-care and public sanitation projects and funding for construction of a mortuary for the Nanukuloa Health Centre in Ra," said Mr Roth.

He said most of the time there are not many donors who want to give funds for projects dealing with sanitation and other small projects but the foundation believes that all projects related to improvement of daily life is important.

"Most of the projects we are involved in may not seem too attractive for many people but we are helping with the projects."

Mr Roth said it was important for businesses to be involved with the community and should come forth in assisting such projects in improving life for the people.

He said the company had been aware of the problems being faced by local schools in relation to water supply and other issues and they will be working with organizations in assisting schools with provision of water and sanitation.

He said they would not be going to individual schools but will look at the proposals sent to the foundation through NGOs.

"We are working with Save the Children Fund on some of their projects and I would like to encourage other organizations to join us."

Mr Roth said Fiji Water Foundation was aware that there were people who fell through the cracks in the system and did not get any help from the government, so the foundation would try to help those people.

"Our commitment is to ensure that the people of Fiji benefit from the success of the company."

The Fiji Water Foundation has called for NGOs in the country to send their proposals to the foundation through their advertisement in the local dailies.

Mr Roth said he was optimistic that the response would be overwhelming.