SODELPA aims to assist 1000 cyclone affected students
The Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) aims to assist 1000 students who have been severely affected by Tropical Cyclone Yasa, to help them prepare for the new academic year.
Party Leader Viliame Gavoka said they are close to reaching their $20,000 fundraising target and would assist 1000 students with the breakdown of $20 per child. So far the party has raised more than $11,000.
“Recently I visited the North. It was a few days after TC Yasa and my heart went out to the people of the North that were devastated. The whole scene was heart wrenching and so for SODELPA we acknowledge a lot of work is going on in the background to rehabilitate those affected,” Mr Gavoka said.
“SODELPA has launched an appeal to assist school children from the various devastated areas. We have deemed that it is necessary to channel assistance to areas where there will be a lot of need as life progresses and so we are keen to help children and teachers for the new school year.”
The party will be liaising with the authorities and the people on the ground to ascertain where the assistance will go depending on the need on the ground.
Tourism
SODELPA also believes that should they form the next government in 2022, COVID-19 will no longer be an issue.
Mr Gavoka said they are certain of this with the way the vaccines are now being distributed around the world.
“People will be travelling and I know from my tourism days there’s pent up demand there. Pent up demand is when a demand has been subdued for too long it wants to break free,” he said.
“In 2022 and beyond our hotels will be filled to capacity and our airlines. The economy is going to be big on tourism when we come into power.”
He said there was also a lot of potential in agriculture that they would tap into.
“It (agriculture) has to be fully integrated, a lot of land needs to be cleared; there is going to be a lot of hand-holding.”
“The structure on the ground is to help the farmer almost on a daily basis. It’s time for huge changes. COVID-19 has taught us that.” Election campaigning has already begun for the party with particular focus on youths.
..breakdown of $20 per child. So far the party has raised more than $11,000