About 36 children are being housed at Dilkusha Home in Nausori, the youngest is a pair of twin babies just one-month-old.

This was revealed yesterday during the official opening of the week-long celebration of Dilkusha Week to commemorate 115 years since the home’s establishment in 1904.

President of the Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma, Reverend Epineri Vakadewavosa said the gathering was to also celebrate the protection of children for families, community and the nation dating back to the colonial days.

“Dilkusha Home provides the Christian family experience to help children in their wholesome development,” he said.

“Special attention to their nurturing through improvements in development activities and capacity building for our caregivers are focused on preparing them well for successful adult life.

“We are grateful to God, our Father for blessing us with this home and for other homes for Fiji children through the support of the Government and the generosity of people and institutions here in Fiji and overseas,”

Former residents of Dilkusha Home with President of the Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma, Reverend Epineri Vakadewavosa and wife Titilia on September 16, 2019, at the Dilkusha Home in Nausori.
Photo: Kelera Sovasiga

He also hopes that the week’s programme will deepen the effort to emphasise the importance of families and the community.

“This is consistent with a reorientation in the church through the Christian Citizenship and Social Services Department for the strengthening of family life starting at the local level with its community of believers,” he said.

Deaconess Salaseini Kacivakawalu said the celebration is, “a look back to celebrate the past as Dilkusha was a home established to cater for orphans, but now that reason has shifted also to children who have been deprived of their proper homes.

“Children in Fiji are vulnerable and it is sad to see them as victims of all types of abuse and I pray that the nation can have a heart of love and care towards them,” Deaconess Kacivakawalu said.

There will be a reunion celebration on Friday that will bring together former children of Dilkusha Home from all around the world.

From left: President of the Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma, Reverend Epineri Vakadewavosa and wife Titilia cut the cake with Deaconess Salaseini
Kacivakawalu on September 16, 2019, at the Dilkusha Home in Nausori. Photo: Kelera Sovasiga

Edited by Percy Kean

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