NATION

A Role Model For Children at Treasure Home

 Reaching out to care for the uncared and therein inculcating the culture of generosity and unity among others is a hallmark of a great leader. Having survived the toughest
20 May 2016 10:39
A Role Model For Children at Treasure Home
Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Rosy Akbar (seated on left) while celebrating mothers day with the children of Treasure Home in Nadi. Photo: Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation

Reaching out to care for the uncared and therein inculcating the culture of generosity and unity among others is a hallmark of a great leader.

Having survived the toughest of life’s battles, showing that despite all the obstacles, each one of us have the ability to achieve not only our own goals but assist  others in achieving their true potential, defines a great leader.

For the children at the Treasure Home, they have found such an exemplary role model who inspires them, that they have the ability to achieve their dream. As such this year’s Mother’s Day, they had the opportunity to celebrate it with their mentor, who is none other than the Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Rosy Akbar.

Raised by a single parent and having struggled through poverty, Ms Akbar is able to relate well to the challenges faced by those children in the institutional care homes.

Education has been one of the key factors attributed towards her success. In her role, Ms Akbar continues to advocate for the empowerment of women and children and the disadvantaged which includes senior citizens and persons living with disabilities. As such she has earned their respect and trust.

The children at Treasure home are drawn towards her humble and caring personality. They have expressed their appreciation through creative designing of a mother’s day card and in the few lines they have tried to tell Ms Akbar of her significance in the lives of the children in residential care homes.

“You have those special abilities to see the best in others and further more helping them into achieving it. For that we wish you a very happy Mother’s Day. We pray that you be just that to many more children who will be fortunate enough to come under your loving care.”

Minister Akbar has reiterated on the Government’s commitment to ensure that these children are nurtured with the care they need to develop themselves as responsible citizens.

Maika Nakora, the Assistant Director Treasure Home, said they were looking after 22 children.

“Of the 22, we have six special needs children and there are 10 carers.

The oldest kid is about 16 years and youngest is about three weeks old and some of them have been abandoned by their families while others have no relatives. Some of them subsequently get adopted by families overseas and locally as well,” he said.

“We work together with the Department of Social Welfare to ensure these children are looked after well, be it education, health, moral and personal development. We also receive annual grant from the Government to help us with the operation of this home. Similarly, the monthly assistance from the Department of Social Welfare has recently increased from $100 per child per month to $120 per child per month.

To date there are 10 residential care homes for children in Fiji – Methodist Dilkusha Home, Saint Christopher’s Home, Homes of Hope, Fiji’s Juvenile Rehabilitation and Development Centre, Pearly Gates Home, Saint Tabitha Safe Home and Orphanage, Treasure House, Saint Mina’s Home, Veilomani Boys Home, Lomani Au Home.

A total of 168 children are residing in these State Care Homes that are supported through the yearly grants and also through the Care and Protection Program administered by the Ministry of Children.

 

Feedback:  jyotip@fijisun.com.fj

 

Subscribe-to-Newspaper