New local NGO source of hope for struggling families
For several years, Sheik Sokhat Ali, was dependent on the money collected from doing sugarcane farming to support his family.
Mr Ali, 60, resides with his wife, Jainul Nisha, 59 and their 28-yearold daughter, Shamma Zabben who is disabled, at their three-bedroom home in Nasau, Nadi.
Recently, he became bedridden and all the work was put on the shoulders of Ms Nisha to continue working on the family’s sugarcane and vegetable farm.
At the same time, she had to attend to the needs of both her husband and daughter.
The family lives on the $50 collected from the Department of Social
Welfare every month as well as the income from their farms.
Despite the hardships, the family is grateful that help is still available, one of which comes from the oneyear-old Lautoka-based Non-Government Organization (NGO), One Nation Our People Youth Club.
“We are very happy with our groceries received from the youth club,” said Mr Ali.
“The flour, rice, cooking oil, biscuits, packets of noodles, tuna and other basic food items that are donated keep us going.”
The club’s founder and president, 23-year-old Abdul Zorhab, said requests for help had increased since they started.
Another recipient is Shaimun Nisha, 65, a widow who is looking after her disabled daughter, Hamidun Nisha, 41, at their home in Nawaka,
Nadi.
She said it had been difficult for her to find ways to earn a living because she needed to worry about the wellbeing of her daughter.
Ms Nisha said help had been received from One Nation Our People Youth Club and the Fiji Muslim League.
Mr Zorhab said eight families in the Lautoka and Nadi areas of Kashmir, Saru, Vatutu Village, Wakadra, Mulomulo and Nasau had been assisted.
He said the group had also received req uests for help from families residing in Rakiraki, Tavua, Ba, Sigatoka, Navua, Nausori, Suva including Labasa