Loving Islands - Fair Trade Organics, is a social enterprise supporting sustainable food production and organic agriculture across the Pacific islands. 

Our fundraising campaign is on a mission to help the small Island Village of Levukaidaku, on Matuku Island in Fiji gain access to the world wide  web! 

Loving Islands’ founder Litia Kirwin has been a member of the Matuku island community for over 25 years, and is working with the community to improve their access to economic and environmental education and communication system by providing them with access to the internet.

"Maintaining the environmental and cultural beauty of our Islands is the highest priority in what Loving Islands does and how we determine who we work with. Organic agriculture is a highly viable means for sustainable economic development in remote island communities, given the rich tradition of organic agriculture that already exists. The key to translating this into economic resilience lies in bridging the skills and knowledge gaps to enable access to sales markets both domestically and internationally. The installation of internet plays a key role in bridging these gaps, and will provide the community of Levukaidaku village with unprecedented access to environmental and economic education as well as a direct communication line to the outside world”.

~ Litia Kirwin (Founder, Loving Islands)

All funding will be allocated to the installation of internet at the Adi Babasea primary school in the village of Levukaidaku, Matuku Island, Fiji! 

Update: 23 July 2016: Internet has been activated and the community is now awaiting equipment and working towards the payment of service fees!

$2,000 Funding will cover:

1 x Deep Cycle Solar Gel Battery (100AH) - $479.00

1 x Sinewave Inverter with Charge Controller - $459.00

1 x Battery Box - $35.95

1 x Cables & Fuses - $75.00

1 x HP Stream 11 Notebook - $225.00

1 x MS Office Suite - $147.00

6 months Internet service payment - $500

Pozible Fees - $80

As a remote island there are many challenges! However, all of these can be overcome with proper planning, training and development. The key challenges we are currently planning for are:

* Adverse environmental weather conditions: With 2 major hurricanes hitting Fiji this year we are working with specialists to ensure the infrastructure around the telecommunications is fit to withstand adverse weather conditions in the event of it occuring. In addition to this, we will be working with the village residents to establish a community training and action plan to ensure the necessary steps are taken to protect the community and infrastructure prior to hurricane impact.

* Ongoing service and maintenance costs: Post-installation there will be an ongoing monthly service provision cost of FJD$200, in addition to any maintenance costs and fees that may arise. The Levukaidaku village youth groups have taken responsibility for these costs and will raise the funds in advance through their youth business activities (currently the sale of copra and fuel).