The Ministry of Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation held discussions today with the residents living in New Town community in Nasinu, Suva.
A team comprising of senior welfare officers and women interest officers chaired a meeting with the leaders of the New Town community at St Marks Anglican Church, this morning.
This meeting was based on the request of women’s groups in New Town to discuss new areas of cooperation with the Ministry. The Senior Welfare Officer Mr Jone Melekini said the Ministry will avail the assistance through poverty alleviation programs.
“The core deliverables of the Ministry is focused on improving the livelihood of communities through poverty alleviation and women empowerment. Today’s meeting has opened new pathways for the New Town women to access the Ministry’s assistance in developing their skills and resources to boost their income generating activities.
“The Ministry’s operates with the principle that when women are empowered the benefits of it are experienced by their families and communities. We will introduce new programs focused on family development and that would see the welfare and women officers working closely with the community leaders,” Mr Melekini said.
While speaking on behalf of the New Town women, their president Mrs Mereti Rabonu thanked the Ministry for equipping them with new tools for income generating.
“This community has a population of up to 500, there are families here who face financial difficulties and we have formed two women’s groups to address this challenge. The Anglican Association of Women’s Group consists of 40 elderly women and Moana Young Mothers group which is made up of 50 women was formed early this year.
“Currently, these women are earning income through selling handicraft and also beanies which is sold as far as in Australia. We are grateful to the Ministry for providing us with two electrical sewing machines that will help us to earn money through sewing school uniforms. We also would like to acknowledge Minister Luveni for her leadership and vision that has motivated us to form this new partnership with the Ministry,” Mrs Rabonu said.
Mr Samisoni Rogo, the spokesman for Newtown community said that direct meeting with government officials makes it easy for them to access information on development programs.
“The presence of the welfare and women officers here this morning demonstrates their commitment to assist the communities in addressing their problems. The Bainimarama government has done a lot for the people through the provisions of free education, free bus fare, welfare assistance and social pension scheme,” Mr Rogo added.
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