The Catholic Women’s League says its outreach and services are expected to strengthen following the record quarter million raised during its recent annual general meeting and conference at Lomary, Galoa.
League president Maria Bereso said the funds would support not only the training of future priests but also the league’s broader community work.
“Within the league, we have, apart from the executive, working groups focusing on areas such as gender-based violence, poverty, and our annual strategic plan,” Ms Bereso said.
“We have activities to cover those areas, as well as natural disaster response or assistance to the poor.
“These women are encouraged to do this on a smaller scale within the parish level. That’s all part of the work to be done.”
Ms Bereso said the league had a strong history of responding to community needs in times of crisis.
“A few years back, just before COVID, we had a few hurricanes that came in one after another.
“We went out, we looked for donations, we asked the women to give supplies for homes and kitchens.
“These were distributed not only to Catholic women but also to other denominations, especially those who were hard hit by the cyclones.”
The league is the largest faith-based women’s organisation in Fiji, and Ms Bereso said she hoped the recent record fundraising would help expand its social and spiritual mission across the country.
