Foundation aids children
‘Times are very hard. But with the help of FENC Fiji my children will be secure for the school year’
More than 200 children from Koroipita Model Town, in Lautoka, received brand new school bags filled with exercise books and stationery yesterday.
In preparation for the start of the 2018 school year next week, the Foundation for the Education of Needy Children in Fiji (FENC) raised over $100,000 during a walkathon in August last year to sustain the programme. FENC Fiji representative Dwain Qalovaki said the foundation continued to support children’s aspirations by making sure funds were available to provide school stationery and bags for the children of Koroipita.
“A key part is to ensure that we can channel funds to provide school bags, stationery and exercise books for 244 children who reside at Koroipita,” Mr Qalovaki said.
The foundation also provides school uniforms and sandals.
Mr. Qalovaki said there was a dramatic increase in the number of applications from students in almost every urban centre in the country. Applications from each centre averaged 3200.
“FENC Fiji still has a long way to go in terms of supporting the 3200 applications for assistance. We are asking businesses and corporate houses who are interested in supporting children to make tax-deductible donations,” he said.
Meanwhile, Janet Lumon and her four children were one of the families blessed with the school items yesterday.
Ms Lumon said this was one of the happiest moments for her and her children. They are grateful to the foundation for its generosity.
“This is a load off our shoulders. I have three children who are attending school. I am also looking after my nephew who I consider as my own child,” Ms Lumon said.
“Every day we try to make ends meet. Times are very hard. But with the help of FENC Fiji my children will be secure for the school year.” Model Towns Charitable Trust education and training officer Pravneil Chand said education is the highest priority in Koroipita.