CAPTION: TISI Sangam women’s group in Labasa while trying hands on with the sewing machines that was donated by the Ministry of Social Welfare and Women at Civic Centre in Labasa yesterday.
1. TISI STRENGTHENS TIES WITH GOVERNMENT– Establishing strengthened network with the non-government organisations in promoting economic opportunities and alleviating poverty a key objective of the Fijian Government.
2. WAINIMAKUTU STUDENTS HEAR ABOUT GOVERNMENT SCHOLARSHIPS– Students of Wainimakutu High School in the highlands of Namosi Province, got to hear first-hand information about Government scholarships on offer.
3. NURSES RECEIVE CERTIFICATES ON KIDNEY PATIENT CARE– 14 nurses yesterday received certificates after completing Fiji’s first ever Renal Nursing training conducted by experts from Singapore.
4. FOREST AND FISHERIES PLAN MINI DISPLAY– The Ministry of Fisheries and Forest is inviting the public to come and visit their mini “Ridge to Reef” Display at Takayawa Building in Toorak on the June 25 as part of the Public Service Day.
5. RURAL AND MARITIME DEVELOPMENT MINISTRY GEAR TOWARDS PUBLIC SERVICE DAY– The Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development together with the National Disaster Management Office will be on display to showcase its services to the general public as part of the Public Service Day.
1. TISI STRENGTHENS TIES WITH GOVERNMENT
Establishing strengthened network with the non-government organisations in promoting economic opportunities and alleviating poverty a key objective of the Fijian Government.
In line with this vision, Minister for Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation Dr Jiko Luveni yesterday met with Labasa’s TISI (Then India Sanmarga Ikya Sangam) to establish network with it for the first time in history.
During the meeting, Dr Luveni informed the TISI on Government’s women and social welfare programmes and discussed issues concerning women’s development.
“The focus of this Ministry is to empower people through social services and we have carried out a reform in social welfare, where we will now be able to increase coverage of the assistance to more families,” Dr Luveni said.
Dr Luveni highlighted that the Family Assistance Program that used to target individuals will be replaced by the Poverty Benefit Scheme which will target families.
“It will increase coverage from 21thousand recipients to about 50,000 people. The two other major welfare programs are Care and Protection that assists the children with their education and the Social Pension Scheme for senior citizens who are 70 years and above who don’t receive any form of superannuation funds,” Dr Luveni said.
As requested by TISI, the Minister handed over eight sewing machines that will be an ideal income generating source of for the Labasa Mather Sangam women.
Dr Luveni also took the opportunity to inform TISI on Government’s initiatives in eliminating violence against women and children.
“Currently there are 45 communities that have joined hands with the Ministry for the Zero Tolerance Violence Free Community Campaign and we would like to see more communities showing their support for building violence free communities in Fiji,” Dr Luveni added.
Vuniwa Labasa women’s group president Sant Kumari Murti applauded the visit by Dr Luveni and thanked Government for the opportunity of face to face discussions with the TISI Sangam.
Ms Murti said TISI and government ties will create more economic opportunities for women in the Northern Division.
“We are truly motivated by the Minister’s visit. This is the first time for TISI to have a discussion with a minister because in the past we didn’t have any minister come down to the grassroots people and TISI can confidently say that Dr Luveni is one of the Ministers who can win the elections by the grace of the people, because she is the Minister that has really reached out to the people and makes every effort to motivate and help people especially whose voices were not heard in the past,” Ms Murti said.
“These women are mostly from rural areas and they do not have permanent employment. They do not have enough income to buy their sewing machines, they depend on sewing however their prayers have been answered as this donation is a blessing for them.”
Labasa TISI Sangam vice president Keshwan Pasayachi said the Minister’s presence is an indication of the current Government’s commitment to improving the socioeconomic status of women in the northern division.
“The TISI is promoting the welfare of the members in our communities through administering 21 primary schools and five secondary schools,” Mr Pasayachi said.
He added that the visit by Dr Luveni was a timely one as it strengthened their ties with Government in taking a collaborative approach in addressing the most pertinent issues such as poverty alleviation and economic empowerment for the people.
“This is a timely visit by Dr Luveni that has created partnerships between TISI and government and will boost the socioeconomic development in the northern division,” Mr Pasayachi added.
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2. WAINIMAKUTU STUDENTS HEAR ABOUT GOVERNMENT SCHOLARSHIPS
Students of Wainimakutu High School in the highlands of Namosi Province, got to hear first-hand information about Government scholarships on offer.
Public Service Commission (PSC) permanent secretary Parmesh Chand said it is encouraging to note that more schools are requesting for information on the types of scholarships available and how they can access scholarships administered by PSC.
“There have been a lot more requests this year as compared to last year and it is worth highlighting that the requests are coming more from rural schools,” Mr Chand said.
Wainimakutu high school principal, Amit Chand said the students met the financial assistance criteria but needed to score the marks required for scholarship assistance.
Mr Amit said with support from parents of the students, school staff supervise and encouraged students to study every school week for an hour in the morning and evening.
“I invited the PSC scholarship team together with ITaukei Affairs team because I want the community especially the parents and students to know the options available with regards to accessing scholarships and the range of studies offered by our local tertiary institutions,” the principal said.
The ITaukei Affairs Board Scholarship team, the Fiji National University team and a team from the Consumer Council were also present at the Careers Expo Day at Wainimakutu High School.
PSC offers local and overseas scholarships, tertiary education loan scheme, student loan scheme and more recently the scholarship scheme for special children (SSSC).
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3. NURSES RECEIVE CERTIFICATES ON KIDNEY PATIENT CARE
14 nurses yesterday received certificates after completing Fiji’s first ever Renal Nursing training conducted by experts from Singapore.
A renal or dialysis nurse is responsible for the care of patients with kidney disease.
Dr Jemesa Tudravu of the Colonial War Memorial Hospital presented certificates to participants on behalf of the Minister for Health Dr Neil Sharma.
Dr Tudravu said the Renal Nursing program was made possible through collaboration between the Ministry of Health, Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Kidney Foundation of Fiji ( KFOF) and the Ngee Ann Polytechnic of Singapore.
“We are thankful to the Government of Singapore and the three trainers for taking their time and sharing their knowledge with our nurses here in Fiji. To the nurses it is the hope of the Ministry of Health that you will make use of the depth of knowledge that you have gained from our friends from Singapore,” Dr Tudravu said.
KFOF acting chairman, Deven Sharma said this is the first time for Fiji to have conducted a Renal Nursing program.
“This is an important occasion and is a milestone in Renal nursing training in Fiji. We all have been fortunate to have this world class training right here in Fiji,” Mr Sharma said.
Mr Sharma thanked the 14 nurses from various hospitals around Fiji for their participation and congratulated them for their achievements.
“To all the successful participants congratulations we are proud of you. Well done. Fiji needs you more than ever. Be true to your training and your profession and be true to our beloved Fiji,” Mr Sharma said.
Mr Sharma said KFOF will always welcome future initiatives on the issue by the Fijian Government.
According to the latest World Health Organisation data published in 2011, kidney disease deaths in Fiji reached 4.88 per cent of total deaths for the year.
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4. FOREST AND FISHERIES PLAN MINI DISPLAY
The Ministry of Fisheries and Forest is inviting the public to come and visit their mini “Ridge to Reef” Display at Takayawa Building in Toorak on the June 25 as part of the Public Service Day.
Permanent secretary Inoke Wainiqolo said the display will be set up at the Ministry’s car park similar to display undertaken for the 2012 agriculture show.
“The public will be taken through a marine park and forest park model for better understanding of the extent and nature of the services we provide,” Mr Wainiqolo said.
Mr Wainiqolo said technical staff from the Ministry will also be available in their division booths with various displays.
“We are targeting neighbouring communities around Takayawa Building and six schools around the vicinity including the general public,” Mr Wainiqolo added.
He said the initiative by the ministry is aimed at increasing visibility, taking services to the community, improving customer services and deploying staff where they are really needed.
Mr Wainiqolo said the Ministry of Fisheries and Forestry is also currently working with the famous Hollywood actor Mel Gibson who is visiting his privately owned Mago Island in the Lau Group.
He added that Mr Gibson has expressed his private interest in accomplishing fisheries and forestry products on the Island.
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5. RURAL AND MARITIME DEVELOPMENT MINISTRY GEAR TOWARDS PUBLIC SERVICE DAY
The Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development together with the National Disaster Management Office will be on display to showcase its services to the general public as part of the Public Service Day.
Ministry’s acting director corporate services Mrs Akisi Korodrau said each unit of the Ministry will have a display table set up at the Victoria Park in Knolly Street.
“This will include the National Disaster Management office which will also be part of the display during Fiji Public Service Day here at Knolly Street,” Mrs Korodrau said.
The public will be able to access information on various sections and arms of the Ministry such as the rural housing unit, development section, District Officer Suva and the Commissioner Eastern’s office.
“The public is invited to view and better utilise all services provide by the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and National Disaster Management especially its objectives and roles of the Ministry,” Mrs Korodrau said.
“The Public Service Day will enable public to obtain first hand information and meet with staff who will assist them right there and then.”
Nearby schools such as Marist Brothers High School, Holy Trinity Primary School and Dudley High School are also invited to access such government services.
The day, which will be commemorated on Tuesday, June 25, is a build-up to the Service Excellence Awards with a theme “Building a Better Fiji for All Through Excellence in Service Delivery”.
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