Speak up ‘if your friends are bullied’
If you see your friends bullying another child, speak up against it says Rupeni Fatiaki.
The Director for the Department of Social Welfare made the comment after opening Rakiraki’s first Children’s Park in celebration of the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect at the Nakauvadra High School Ground on November 22.
Mr Fatiaki said the project, which amounted to $27,000, was part of the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation’s role to ensure that a safe environment was created for children.
“This project came about as part of the role of the ministry to ensure that we as a community are creating an environment that is conducive and supportive for the development and protection of our children,” he said.
“Our children are our future therefore Government is making every effort to ensure that our children are given the best opportunities to excel and that we live in a caring and safe Fiji that is conducive for their development.”
Mr Fatiaki told parents who were present that a family was the first institution where a child needed to feel safe.
“At the same time, they need to know that they are loved and accepted,” he said.
Mr Fatiaki acknowledged the Rakiraki Town Council for providing the land for the construction of the new Rakiraki Children’s Park.