At BIRTH Fiji, we believe that every young person deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and build a brighter future. With the generous support of Mary MacKillop Today (MMT), we proudly delivered a Certified Baking & Pastry Training Program that empowered local youths with practical skills, confidence, and new opportunities.

The training brought together young men, young women, and LGBTQI+ youths in a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment. Throughout the program, participants learned essential baking and pastry skills, including preparing doughs and batters, baking cakes and pastries, cake decorating, food safety, and presentation. More importantly, they gained confidence in their abilities and discovered that with the right support, they could achieve their goals.

The kitchen quickly became more than just a place to learn recipes. It became a space where friendships were formed, creativity flourished, and participants encouraged one another to succeed. Every loaf of bread, every cake, and every decorated pastry reflected not only new skills but also determination, teamwork, and personal growth.

For many participants, this training opened the door to new possibilities. Some hope to pursue careers in the hospitality industry, while others dream of starting their own small baking businesses to support themselves and their families. The course gave them practical skills that can create pathways to employment, entrepreneurship, and greater independence.

One of the greatest strengths of this program was its commitment to inclusion. By bringing together youths from diverse backgrounds, the training demonstrated that opportunity has the power to unite people, build confidence, and unlock potential.

At BIRTH Fiji, we are proud to witness the transformation of these young people as they gained not only technical skills but also self-belief, resilience, and hope for the future.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Mary MacKillop Today (MMT) for investing in our youths and making this life-changing initiative possible. Together, we are helping young people turn their passion into purpose and their dreams into opportunities, creating stronger individuals, stronger communities, and brighter futures for all.

A primary focus of BIRTH-Fiji is to support girls and women who often bear the brunt of water scarcity in rural regions. Among these communities are families living in the Vaivai village and nearby neighborhoods who have been facing the challenge of inadequate access to drinkable water. The burden of carrying water from the creek falls predominantly on women and children, with the vulnerable, such as the elderly and people with disabilities, experiencing the greatest hardships due to water scarcity. 

A Water Borehole project was spearheaded by BIRTH Fiji to provide aid and support to the VaiVai communities that lacked reliable access to clean water and proper sanitation facilities. It was undertaken once the team had recognised the difficulties faced by women and children in these communities after providing counselling services to those traumatized by having had miscarriages, injuries, and illnesses due to the scarcity of water in the area.

Engagement with the community members resulted in the formation of a working group who realized the funds were not sufficient for the whole project but were happy to contribute. Even though they knew the water would not be available at their homes, they were happy to have safe drinking water available for use nearby in the area. 

Completing the borehole project was a significant accomplishment and a great learning experience for the team and the VaiVai community. Its leadership implemented innovative approaches to ensure that women receive valuable training that paves the way for better job prospects and economic independence.

BIRTH Fiji’s unwavering dedication is evident in the team’s relentless efforts to secure additional funding, ensuring the sustainability of their initiatives and support for trained personnel. Their belief in the transformative power of empowering others drives their pursuit of success. By providing essential services, the organization uplifts vulnerable individuals and leaves a lasting impact on the communities they serve.