Helping the needy

THE traditional iTaukei culture of coming together as a community to help those in need known as solesolevaki could be the best mechanism to tackle social issues faced during this COVID-19 pandemic, says Lami District Council of Social Services people living with disabilities cocoordinator, Ananai Tagacake.

He said some families in informal settlements within Lami affected by the COVID-19 pandemic were accommodated in other people’s houses for lunch.

“If it was not for our cultural way of helping each other, known as solesolevaki, then I strongly believe that some families would have gone without a scrumptious meal during Christmas. I think this could be the best way to tackle some of the issues we are facing right now as a nation, just simply to share what you have with other people.”

He said the council looked after 44 informal settlements within Lami.

“As we welcome the New Year, it’s best we lookout for one another, tough times are ahead of us.”