A Time to Open Our Hearts, Reach Out and Help Those in Need

The country has been dealt two major body blows by Tropical Cyclone Harold and COVID-19. While the cyclone has left a trail of destruction, it has not broken the Fijian spirit.

We have been down this road before and we have bounced back.

This time what we are facing is unprecedented because COVID-19 is still here and has created a health and economic crisis.

To the credit of our frontline heroes there are no reported deaths so far in the two events. That’s remarkable given our limited resources.

Many of our people, who are engaged in the battle against COVID-19 also protected our citizens during TC Harold. They have made personal sacrifices beyond the call of duty. In times like this, we need to be united and rise from the rubble and debris. It calls on everyone to dig deep and bring out the best in our humanity.

To those who are affluent and have an abundance this is the time to open their hearts and reach out to help victims of both crises.

There are various ways you can contribute through established agencies in the public and private sectors.

Look in your neighbourhood to see if anyone is in need that you can help directly.

You will be amazed at what you may find, particularly among the vulnerable, like the elderly, poor, destitute, sick and the physically and mentally challenged.

To businesses, they can play their part by not inflating the prices of their goods and products.

Even better, they can lower their prices to make goods affordable to those who otherwise cannot afford them.

To landlords, they can give their tenants who have suffered because of the economic impact of COVID-19, a rent holiday.

To church groups, they should be out there tending to members of their flocks who desperately need help.

For Christian churches their responsibility is spelt out In James chapter one, verse 27 of the New Testament of the Holy Bible (King James version). Basically it says pure religion and undefiled before God is to visit the vulnerable and the needy.

When we all help out we will accelerate our rate of recovery. We can’t leave it all to the Government. It can’t do it alone.

It needs all our help.

So let us all stand together and help the Government rebuild our beloved nation.