We are stronger when we empower children, people living with disabilities and the disadvantaged Fijians says Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Mereseini Vuniwaqa.

Mrs Vuniwaqa made the statement on Wednesday while visiting the Hilton Intervention Centre and the Hilton Special School in Suva.

“Government and the people of Fiji need to work closely together in realising obligations on the rights of persons living with disabilities both here and abroad,” Mrs Vuniwaqa said.

The Frank Hilton Organisation, originally known as the Fiji Crippled Children’s Society Suva Branch is the Controlling Authority of the Hilton Special School, Hilton Early Intervention Centre and Hilton House Hostel.

It also manages and runs the only fully equipped Audiology Department in Fiji as well as the only Pediatric Physiotherapy Department within a Special School.

Wednesday was the first time for Mrs Vuniwaqa to visit the establishment where she got to see first-hand care provided at the institution.

She was also given a guided tour of the Hilton Special School classrooms by the Head Teacher Cecilia Yee who informed her that Hilton was the first Special School set up in Fiji in 1963.

“The purpose of the visit was to see first-hand the care that is provided by this institution. A big thank you to the school management for giving proper care and attention to these students as your service ensures that children with special needs are not left behind in nation building and development,” she said.

Chief Executive Officer of the Frank Hilton Organisation, Sureni Perera said the Minister’s visit was an honour and for her to spend time at the institution to witness the importance of management and staff of the Frank Hilton Organization was humbling.

“We are honored by the fact the Honourable Minister was able to spend so much time at the facilities and to understand the importance of the multidisciplinary, child centered approach that enables children with disability to reach their fullest potential and access smooth transition to mainstream,” Ms Perera said.

“We truly hope that this visit will provide Frank Hilton Organization a good foundation by which we will continue to support and advocate for better services for children with disabilities in Fiji”, Ms Perera said.

Mrs Vuniwaqa during her visit witnessed classroom based programmes conducted by the school and also she participated in a presentation that outlined the administrative and service structure of the organisation.

The administrative and service structure underpins principles and international best practice methodology, in compliance with World Health Organisation standards in Early Intervention as well as the barriers to service provision and the need to build local capacity.

Source: Frank Hilton Organisation

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