Mother Gets $720 For Her Four Children

Vulnerable Fijian families facing the challenges of today’s rising cost of living have begun receiving Government’s cash support assistance.

This is part of the inflation mitigation measures. In the West, 42-year-old Anaseini Ca received $180 each for four of her five children.

Ms Ca said she travelled from her home in Sasa Village, Ba, and had no issues lining up to withdraw from her M-PAiSA account.

Ms Ca who is separated from her husband, now lives with her de facto partner.

She said her situation is challenging and the assistance could not have come at the better time with the cost of living increasing.

“I would like to say how thankful I am for this assistance given by the Government to my children,” she said.

“I am happy but at this time I really want to buy the things that my children need for school.”

At a stall in the Lautoka Municipal Market, a couple who have been vendors for the past five years have four children.

Semisi Tora, a former Fiji Rugby League player, and his wife, Kara, said they received $360. Mr Tora, from Somosomo Village in Naviti, Yasawa said Government’s assistance is taking some load off their shoulders.

In the North

In the North, a grandmother rejoiced with happiness when her grandson, Tushal Lal, 17, received $180.

Bimla Wati appreciated the government’s kind gesture and foresight in ensuring children’s education remained the priority.

Yesterday, grandmother and grandson withdrew the cash assistance from Vodafone Fiji’s Labasa branch.

“During our time, there was no assistance for education and to accommodate our healthy wellbeing was never prioritised,” the Bulileka, Labasa granny said.

Ms Wati said with the cash assistance they would buy school resources like school uniform, bag and other stationery.

Despite her grandson’s challenging health conditions, the initiative will encourage him to work hard and strive for better school results.

Tushal had a severe kidney problems and walking complications. The Year 11 student of Batinikama College always had a close attachment with his grandmother ever since childhood.

Tushal is being supported with a disability allowance and Ms Wati said this was another supportive role the Government played.

Assistance Background

In the 2022-2023 National Budget announcement, the Attorney-General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, said families earning a combined $50,000 or less are eligible to apply, including civil servants.

The assistance is based on the number of children in each household.

This applies to all children, from newborns to those in Year 13. Approximately $38 million was set aside for this phase.

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