The eradication of poverty is a major national priority objective of the Bainimarama Government.

Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts, Mahendra Reddy made this remark during an inaugural annual fundraising dinner for the Foundation for Education for Needy Children (FENC) Fiji.

The fundraising event took place at the Novotel Novotel Suva Lami Bay on Tuesday night, raising $99,049.55.

Mr Reddy said they are committed to addressing the plight and needs of the poor in our communities. However, he said the long term sustainable solution to eradicating poverty is not handing out charity.

“What is needed is increased productive investment and economic growth and with that, equitable access to opportunities for people to be able to work to earn a living.”

He said FENC Fiji is a unique non-governmental organisation, unique because its focus was on the poorest of the poor.

“Among the poor, it is the poorest example of those at the bottom most end of the poverty ladder, who are the most disadvantage, the weakest and the most vulnerable.

“The poorest of the poor, including their children desperately need support.

“Our children are our future.

“Every child must have access to opportunity to grow healthily, to be educated, to dream the dreams to achieve a desirable future, one in which they contribute to their own and their families’ wellbeing.

“Also to contribute to their communities and indeed, to our nations as a whole,” Mr Reddy said.

FENC Fiji national co-ordinator, John Tuiono said over 1000 students were assisted by the organisation every year.

“We manage to secure long term contracts with co-operate companies to provide more assistance to students,” he said.

Background

FENC Fiji is a national initiative, serve as voluntary, non-political, not-for-profit, cause-oriented organisation, providing educational and related support to the children of the poorest of poor families in Fiji.

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

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