BSP Donates $25,000 to Support Education of Our Less Fortunate
Five-hundred school stationery packs have been distributed throughout Fiji for primary and secondary school students. This was through the partnership of Bank South Pacific (BSP) and the Foundation of the Education of Needy Children (FENC).
This was funded by an increased donation of $25,000 from BSP to support Fiji’s less fortunate children, including those impacted by COVID-19.
Each pack contains a school bag, exercise books, folders, stationery, calculators and mathematical sets (where needed) as per FENC
Fiji’s sponsorship criteria.
BSP Fiji Country
Head, Haroon Ali, reinforced BSP’s commitment to community and Vanua, especially during these tough times.
“As resilient Fijians embrace the new normal environment, at BSP, we will continue to focus our support for education as a way to break the cycle of poverty and safeguard our nation’s future growth,” he said. “Quality education for today’s needy children will equip them to overcome their social and economic disadvantages to prepare them for an economically useful adult life. In fact, they will have a higher likelihood of ending the cycle of poverty in their households and communities.”
According to FENC Fiji, more than 18 per cent of Fiji’s children aged five to 14 years do not attend school. More than 51 per cent of those completing primary school do not have the opportunity to attend secondary school.
FENC Fiji, national coordinator, Priya Lata, confirmed that BSP’s donation had assisted children in schools within the West, North and Central/Eastern Divisions.
She thanked the bank for being one of their longest serving partners.
“BSP has been a key contributor enabling us to continue serving Fiji’s poorest of poor children and this year, we also included COVID-19 and Cyclone impacted students,” Ms Lata said.
“Our thorough screening process, ongoing monitoring and evaluation, together with community support, has empowered thousands of students over the years to walk out of poverty and save their loved ones in the process.”
BSP has been donating to FENC Fiji since 2010 as part of its’ Annual Corporate Social Responsibility Programme with more than 2600 students assisted to date.
BSP has been a key contributor enabling us to continue serving Fiji’s poorest of poor children and this year, we also included COVID-19 and Cyclone impacted students. Priya Lata FENC Fiji, National Coordinator