Four children of Saint Tabitha Orphanage and Safe Home in Saweni, Lautoka will be relocated. This was the result of home’s closure because of economic challenges faced by the management.

Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Lautoka officer, Krishneel Sahai revealed the facts to the members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence at Lautoka City Council Chambers. He did this during the public submissions.

The Greek Orthodox, Holy Trinity Church in Saweni last year opened the orphanage home with eight boys and six girls.

The Standing Committee members paid a visit to the home to find out why it was closing.

Adriana Kouniaris from the Saint Tabitha Orphanage said the home was being funded by the Greek people. Now, however, because of economic situations, funding had become difficult.

She said the children were also due to receive their welfare benefits from the Ministry since they arrived.

“But we have put in some proposals to see if we can continue the running of the home,” Ms Kouniaris said.

Meanwhile the chairperson of the Parliament Standing Committee, Netani Rika told Ms Kouniaris that it was important to continue running the home. He assured her that the matter was looked into and the welfare benefits were received by the children at the home soon.

Mr Sahai said the children would be relocated to their new homes in Ba.

The Committee yesterday visited Lautoka and to receive submissions on the Hague Convention on the Jurisdiction, Applicable law, Recognition, Enforcement and Co-operation in Respect of Parental Responsibility and Measures for the Protection of Children (1996 Convention).

Edited by Rusiate Mataika

Feedback: arishma.narayan@fijisun.com.fj