A new project has been developed by the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation to promote self-sufficiency for residents currently residing at the Good Samaritan Inn (Rehabilitation Centre) in Colo-i-Suva.

The Good Samaritan Inn operates like a half-way home for men who have been begging or living off the streets, by providing them with temporary accommodation, counselling and economic empowerment opportunities to elevate their livelihood.

The centre is looked after by the Ministry of Women in partnership with the Nazarene Church of Fiji.

Currently, there are seven residents housed at the centre who are assisted into developing their skills and potentials to live a decent livelihood.

In doing so, the ministry has started a poultry project at the centre, to assist the residents with a form of income-generation activity.

During a visit to the centre last week, Minister Rosy Akbar was pleased with the progress of the new project.

Ms Akbar said these economic activities would enable the residents to save money to plan for their future.

The centre is co-ordinated to align with the vision of the Operations Loloma, which is, ‘Serving the less fortunate with compassion to help them realise their true potential.’

Initially, 27 individuals were accommodated at the Colo-i-Suva centre of which 16 have reunited with their families and four have found employment, with seven remaining.

The centre was officially opened in February 2015.

Source: Ministry for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation

Feedback:  jyotip@fijisun.com.fj