In the pursuit to positively change the lives of those who have been begging on the streets for years, the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation in partnership with the Fiji Police Force has reunited a 63 year old street dweller with her family.
The 30 years of struggle on the streets for 63 year old Ani Ranadi, came to an end when she was profiled by the Coordinated Committee on Street Beggars early this year. Ms Ranadi is from Vanua Levu and has been begging on the streets to earn a living.
The swift actions taken by the Ministry has given a new life to Ms Ranadi, who now has the opportunity to spend her golden years with her loved ones. This has been made possible under the leadership of the Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Hon. Rosy Akbar who chairs the coordinated committee on street beggars.
During the profiling exercise, Minister Akbar and the team discovered that Ms Ranadi has nine children and her youngest daughter lives in Nakaugasele village in Kadavu. The Ministry then established contact with the family and the youngest daughter gladly volunteered to take her mother to Kadavu and look after her.
After months of counselling and mentoring provided to Ms Ranadi, she was able to gain self-confidence and value herself in preparation for a new life.
The Ministry then made arrangements for Ms Ranadi to move from Suva to Kadavu and finally reunite with her family. Ms Ranadi’s daughter has thanked the Ministry for reaching out and making the impossible, possible by unifying a family that has been longing for their beloved mother.
She said that her days of worrying about her mother are now over and she will do everything in her means to support her mother. This is also an opportunity for Ms Ranadi to catch up on those lost years and rebuild the trust, love and bond with her family.
Reuniting street dwellers back with their families, Minister Akbar says is a rewarding experience and worthwhile challenge.
“The Ministry is determined to go out of its way to ensure that the less fortunate who have for some reason ended up on the streets are redirected to living a dignified life. These are human beings who at some stage of their lives have lost track of their families. Our role is to find the best way to empower them and reintegrate them back into their communities," Minister Akbar said.
“We have come across senior citizens and some mentally challenged individuals who have been forced to live on on the streets. Through our awareness programs, we continue to emphasize on the need for families to instill the values of care and compassion when looking after the disadvantaged, especially the senior citizens and disabled persons.
“Senior citizens deserve and have the right to be treated with respect and age with dignity, they need to be cared for within the boundaries of their homes. The Ministry continues to work vigorously to restore the peace, happiness and prosperity in their lives."
Ms Ranadi has also been assisted through the social welfare program "Poverty Benefit Scheme” through which she is able to receive monthly cash allowances and $50 food voucher.
The Ministry through the coordinated committee conducts the profiling exercise and devices strategies to effectively address street begging into Fiji. To date 78 street beggars have been profiled of which 48 are males and 28 are females (50 have been profiled in Suva city.
The cases are categorised into mentally challenged, homeless, disabled, and widows and destitute. Four of the mentally challenged cases who were found on the streets of Suva have been treated at St Giles Hospital and reunited with their families.
“The Ministry continues to assess case by case and also assist the able bodied individuals through income livelihood programs. We equip them with tools and skills to help them establish income livelihood projects. Our doors are always open and we are ready to help them in the best possible way- however, changing their mind-set is a process that takes time and patience,” Minister Akbar emphasized.