Council after $100k - Banaban Child Welfare Committee

[Stacey King]

FIJI TIMES ONLINE Serafina Silaitoga Sunday, December 12, 2010

THE Banaban Child Welfare Committee desperately needs money to meet academic needs of children between the ages of six to 14. The welfare needs about $100,000 to help these children including the mentally challenged and those with disabilities. Social worker on Rabi Island Terikano Takesau said she had started working with the committee to help them meet their target and put the children in school.

Ms Takesau, who is also a recipient of the Vodafone ATH Foundation World of Difference program, said part of her program donation had gone to the children. "We have 50 children to assist and these are poor children, children of single parents, children whose parents are disabled or separated and those living with disabilities.

"These children have been listed under different categories depending on their situation and currently we have identified two disabled and four mentally challenged who need to be sent to Suva special schools,"

Ms Takesau said, adding this all depended on their being able to raise the necessary funds. Apart from tuition, Ms Takesau said they needed money to care for the children during their stay in Suva. "So next week, we will start our fundraising drive and raise money for these children because for most of them, their parents also face financial struggles and can't pay for school fees.

"The welfare is fighting the problem of school drop outs which is why we are raising funds for these students and it's more to buy their stationery and lunches to school as fees are paid by government," the social worker on the island said.

[Terikano Takesau]

Happy new year to all...just correcting the figure..its $10k not $100k.needed by.the Banaban child welfare...ie $200.00 x 50 disadvantaged children for 2011..I acknowledge vodafone/ath Fiji foundation for enabling the world of difference on Rabi as the Banaban Child welfare is now fully established ..having office bearers and 12 committee members from all the island...It's objective is to look after the welfare of the disadvantaged children residing on Rabi island and is recognised under the Banaban culture n tradition. I also thank the media for the follow up on my project ..Stacey n Ken for providing the link...the committee for assisting me açcomplish the survey ..Marlie Rota (ED) RCLfor the support