67,000 backpacks distributed to students whose families have been severely impacted by COVID-19 & recent flooding events in the West

The FIJI Water Foundation has donated over 67,000 backpacks to support students in the West whose families have been severely impacted by COVID-19 and the recent flooding events in their preparation for the 2022 school year.

Foundation Director Kaitlyn Yates says each backpack contains essential school supplies that are grade level specific, including notebooks, rulers, pens and a book.

Yates says the donation is benefiting over 45,000 primary school students and 22,000 secondary school students.

She says COVID-19 and the associated school closures have been a significant setback for students in Fiji, particularly for those in the West whose families have also experienced back-to-back severe weather events in 2021 and 2022.

Yates says the FIJI Water Foundation has purchased, packed, delivered, and distributed these essential back to school items to students located in the school districts of Ba, Tavua, Ra, Lautoka and Yasawa.