Timely assistance for safe home
THE Rotary Club of Lautoka answered the plea of more than 30 residents of the Daulomani Safe Home who have been in desperate need of assistance.
Club youth director Melissa Natawake said the club responded to an article by this newspaper highlighting the needs of the home.
“Through the generosity of several generous donors, we were able to purchase over $100 worth of goods by the Lautoka Kshatriya Manda,” she said.
“The assistance provided were primarily necessities such as bed sheets and pillows donated by Lisa Roxoborough, towels and toothpaste donated by former St Joseph’s Secondary School students in Sydney, Australia and reusable sanitary pads by Days for Girls Team West.
She said a former street dweller and sex worker founded the shelter and began taking in the needy including a two-year-old child.
“Their first shelter was a tarpaulin on some acreage where they could sleep for the night and eat a modest supper.
“When there are more than eight individuals under one roof, they sleep in a line in a rudimentary tin shack building with tarpaulin on the floor.
“The extras are housed in a tent outside. There are several vegetable and root crop plots and trees as well as half-finished bathroom with a toilet to be installed.
“Their primary requirements are emotional support, comfortable sleeping clothing such as blankets, and hardware such as pipe fittings.
“All in all, they have done a tremendous job being selfsufficient and providing a safe haven for those who have been misplaced in society.”