The Ministry for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation brought joy to underprivileged parents and children in some squatter areas when they handed out school essentials.

As the term of the 2019 academic year progresses, the ministry found many students staying back home because of inadequate school supplies.

After the initial scoping of some informal settlements around Vatuwaqa, Suva, the ministry assisted several families in the Nanuku Settlement earlier.

The scoping and distributions continued last week in Wailea and Jittu settlements as well where the ministry handed over school stationeries to 124 children.

The packages, which included books, pens, crayons, book covers, bags with water bottles were provided to motivate students and to assist parents in ensuring that their children were prepared well to continue their studies in the new school year.

Advice to students, parents

Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Mereseini Vuniwaqa, believes that assisting these needy children is one of the best investments a Government can make.

Mrs Vuniwaqa told students that taking responsibility of their education meant respecting and listening to their parents, guardians and teachers; allocating time for study and homework daily; and, ensuring that they go to school every day.

“The ministry encourages every family to prioritise their children’s education first as children will need their support if they are to reach their full potential in school,” she said.

Mrs Vuniwaqa encouraged parents and guardians to teach their children human values of honesty, respect, integrity and hard work as whatever we sow in our children today is what they will reflect as leaders of our nation in the future.

The Head of Wailea Settlement, George Bukalidi said: “I would like to thank the Ministry for providing the school stationeries to our community in this time of need.”

Solomone Viriki, 76, from Jittu Settlement was in tears while receiving the school stationeries.

He said he was now in a position to send his six grandchildren to Gau Secondary School, Ratu Navula Secondary School, Lelean Memorial School and Cathedral Secondary School.

Source: Ministry of Women,Children and Poverty Alleviation