Several local cultural organisations received a boost through the Multi-Ethnic Grant, enabling them to purchase much-needed musical instruments.
The Ministry of Multi Ethnic Affairs and Sugar Industry marked its fourth and final disbursement of the Multi-Ethnic Affairs Grant on March 31, 2025, which will help several communities around Fiji foster greater cultural diversity in the arts, and provide new opportunities for youth groups to learn music.
Among the 40 communities that received the grant on March 31st, three cultural organizations expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to purchase the much-needed instruments that will enhance their musical programs.
Mahakal Shakti Boys representative Mohitesh Chand from Nausori said the grant would allow his group to purchase and learn different musical instruments.
“It will help us to learn and we will encourage other youths to join and learn the musical instruments,” he said.
“All this while, the group members had to bring their personal instruments and use it and sometimes we had to run around to get the instruments or when we had two functions , we couldn’t attend one because of no instruments, but now we will be able to buy our own, especially harmonium, dholak and tambourine.”
The Mahakal Shakti Boys currently has 18 youths with the youngest member a nine-year old, however they are optimistic that their members would increase with the addition of new instruments.
Koronivia Christian Fellowship representative Ranjani Lata said the grant would also help her church purchase additional instruments which would help them create awareness and discourage youths from choosing the wrong path in life.
“We applied for this grant so that we can take the musical instruments and move out into the community so that we can encourage our young community members to actually not engage in drugs or any criminal-related activities but rather join the spiritual organisations,” she stated.
She acknowledged the government for the grant which would foster spiritual activities and contribute towards reducing criminal activities in Fiji.
Anendra Prasad of Gyan Mandir in Samabula, Suva also echoed similar sentiments.
“For a long time, we were waiting for a Government that provides grants and helps our temple and the community as a whole prosper,” Mr Prasad said.
“This grant is a big relief for us and we will ensure that these funds are utilised in the right way by buying the required instruments.”
Under the Multi-Ethnic Grant Program, the Ministry has successfully delivered grants to 56 communities in the Western Division, six Community-Based Organization Projects in Ovalau, 78 communities in the Northern Division, 36 communities for the whole Central Division, and three communities for Rabi, addressing various community needs.