"Children are considered to be our greatest national asset and reserve. Children should be given the opportunity to grow, so they can become enthusiastic citizens, physically fit, mentally alert and morally healthy and gifted with skills needed by society."
This was highlighted by the Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Rosy Akbar while officiating at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry and Inspire Pacific at the Fiji Juvenile Rehabilitation and Development Centre in Suva yesterday.
The Fiji Juvenile Rehabilitation and Development Centre is the Fijian Government’s national institution for young boys who find themselves in conflict with the law. The young boys in care are between the ages of 14-18 years,” said Minister Akbar.
"Currently, there are four boys at the Centre, which is quite good, as before there were over 20 boys in the Centre. The numbers increase and decrease depending on various factors. The Centre gives these boys an opportunity to reflect and learn, from the various programs and so they can safely and successfully reintegrated into the community."
Minister Akbar stated that through the signing of the agreement, Inspire Pacific will provide activities for the boys held at the Centre that will help with their social development, and provide them with basic literacy, numeracy and other skills.
"The specific activities to be provided by Inspire Pacific will include literacy classes, numeracy classes, social interaction sessions, music lessons and film screening and discussion sessions.”
The furniture and equipment for educational purposes that has been provided specifically for these development activities have already been set up by Inspire Pacific, who are running classes each day.
In due course, they will donate additional materials such as mattresses, bedding and kitchen utensils, as well as additional furniture and equipment.
Minister Akbar stressed the important role of education to improve the behaviour and create opportunities for incarcerated youth.
"Appropriate mental health care, life skill development, recreation, and education will improve rehabilitation efforts and assist our youth in productive re-entry into their communities."
Minister Akbar also encouraged parents of the boys who are at the Centre to be accepting and supportive.
"As a Government Institution, we will do our part, but your role as parents will always be the most important for your child’s development and you are key in how you mould your children. And your role is even more crucial in how you allow your children to re-integrate into the family, home and community. I urge you to give serious thought to this responsibility and find ways of making reform easier for your children. This isn’t the end of the road for them in any way – they still have the time and opportunity to become good citizens of the country, to build their careers and have loving families of their own – but you must be able to guide them to that path."
The Chairman of Inspire Pacific, Pastor Ben Morrison, thanked the Ministry for this great opportunity and said that they are looking forward to providing support in implementing programs and activities that will improve the lives of the young boys at the Centre. He reminded the boys that the Ministry team and Inspire Pacific were available to help them and to utilise and value the opportunities being provided.