mates Projects

At mates we want every persons’ skills, resources and capacity to be included. Therefore our projects come in every shape and size you can imagine. If you would like to get involved in one of the ones listed below! If you have an idea for your own project send us an email.

Once you’re signed up for a project we will provide help and community for fundraising - which alike all mates initiatives is custom to be true to your community.

Some examples of things not listed here but ways that people are supporting us -

lawyers providing pro bono advice, accountants doing monthly sessions with us, business owners providing advice and troubleshooting support, photographers doing merchandise shoots, teachers running pastoral care projects at their school - all in collaboration of mates to support our work. Vinaka team

This is just to say there is no limit to how you can be involved.

Projects happening right now!

Kids Club

  • Creating a space for children and teens to come after school and chore time. This will keep ‘em out of any trouble, give them something productive to do, create a community space and expose them to new skills.

  • $500AUD

    Quality paperbacks, chess boards and other board games to play with together, cards

First Aid Course

  • Supporting the local nurse by having an Aussie nurse come to share her knowledge. Especially with first aid and infection control (for cuts and splinters)

  • $2000AUD

    First aid kits, medical supplies, medical text books

Sporting goods

  • Ask any Fijian kid/young adult what is one thing they would love above all - the answer will be rugby boots or netball shoes that fit. Without this kids don’t go to their games, skip training because they are embarrassed.

  • $2000AUD

    As many pairs of rugby boots and netball shoes we can muster, rugby balls, netballs, swimming goggles, snorkels and surfboards

Hang on!

I have something that you are fundraising for sitting at home! Can I donate it?

Yes you can!

Screenprinting business

  • Salote owned her own screen printing business in the capital and had to sell to move home to the village. The barrier for entry to her continuting her business is a large table and the rubber for the stamps. We are going to fundraise to help her resume her business

  • $400AUD

    Materials for a table and the rubber to create the stamps

Noah Xrays

  • 11-year-old Noah has a turn out in both legs and it really limits his mobility. His Mum (Sala - total legend) has spoken to doctors in Fiji who have told her there is nothing they can do to help. We aim to get him some scans for some Aussie drs to check and see what the game plan would be moving forward.

  • $500AUD

    Xrays and an Aussie Dr consultation

Your mates Project…

  • Your project might have to do with your job or formal qualification or maybe a general area of interest, hobby or maybe you jump on someone else’s bandwagon because you think its a smashing idea! There are no rules - no cutting cookies here

  • Fun runs or cold plunges, crafter noons, trivia nights, selling merchandise… the possibilities are limited only by your imagination! We are here to help you out in whatever fundraising method works for you!

What are mates doing in the long term?

The community of Namatakula (like most along the coral coast) is below sea level in the low points and just on sea level at the high points. To put it plainly climate researchers have identified that rising sea levels will flood these communities leaving them under water by 2030.

We are going to start fundraising and planning to build a new community in the hills to provide custom housing for every family. It is a huge mission and honestly scary to undertake. But a beautiful mother of four sat with me and said that she felt no fear because she had no hope that anyone would help… Our community doesn’t have the access to resources, education, internet and funds that we do, to squander.

Joining a trip, coming and being part of the community in Namatakula you won’t be able to help but feel connected and that the obvious thing to do with all that privilege is support a super deserving community. If you’d like to help out with this specifically or donate specifically to this you can email us at matesfiji@gmail.com with the word ‘build’ in the subject and we can get a great conversation rolling.