Members of the Dorcas Welfare Society in Naveiwakau, Nasinu were urged to be ‘agents of change’ in their respective communities.
Minister for Women, Social Welfare and Poverty Alleviation Dr Jiko Luveni met with the 40-member women’s group today and provided them with first-hand information about various assistance programmes by the ministry.
Dr Luveni, in her first visit, thanked the group for the work it does in assisting disadvantaged families and individuals in society.
“I am trying to reach out to women’s groups in the semi-urban areas, which have been missed out from our programmes of assistance. This is why I readily accepted the invitation from them. I would like to commend them for their mandates because they collectively raise resources that they use to help the disadvantaged people in our country,” Dr Luveni said.
The minister outlined to the women correct procedures to access the various services provided by her ministry so they could reach out to those in need of government assistance.
“My main message to them is that because they reach out to people in need, I wanted to describe to them the programme of assistance by my ministry. If they come across people who need assistance and who qualify, then they could also provide them with the right information,” Dr Luveni said.
“This women’s group and the Ministry of Women can work in close partnership to reach people in need of our assistance, especially those who are not aware of how and where to access these assistance.”
Economic empowerment is a priority for the ministry and to portray this, Dr Luveni donated two sewing machines to Dorcas Welfare Society.
“I also provided clarification on the Social Pension and Poverty Benefit schemes. The women here request our assistance in the construction of a women’s resource centre so they could have a centre for their empowerment programme,” Minister Luveni said.
“We have provided them with sewing machines so they can make clothes to distribute to the needy, make clothes for themselves or even those who are not skilled in tailoring, can learn how to sew clothes and alleviate poverty from their own homes first before they reach out to the community.”
Dorcas Welfare Society president, 68-year-old Adi Reki Raitekiteki said they were encouraged by the minister’s timely visit.
“The minister talked to us about the various welfare programmes and achievements of her ministry. This is the first time for the minister to come and speak to us. We invited her recently and she made a point of meeting us today, for which we all are very thankful,” Mrs Raitekiteki said.
Vani Dususu Wilikibau, 34, said they shared a common vision with the Ministry for Women and Social Welfare, which was to assist the less fortunate in the country.
“We help those who face financial difficulties, who are unable to afford meals and we buy stuff for them,” Mrs Wilikibau said.
“We go as a group and visit needy families, such as those in HART homes and St Christopher’s Home.
“We are motivated by Dr Luveni’s visit to us today. The information shared will enable us to better inform those in need of assistance. We must continue impacting the lives of the needy in a positive way because we are the ‘agents of change.”
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