While a number of so-called community organisations pay lip service to promoting the cause of the needy, there are a handful of selfless individuals who devote their spare time to do more and talk less.
Among them are the promoters and members of the Foundation for the Education of Needy Children (FENC) in Fiji Trust based in Auckland.
Though less than a year old, the Organisation has registered an impressive record of action, the foremost among which is to mobilise financial resources for the benefit of the poor and needy children in Fiji.
Although thousands of Indo-Fijians have fled their homeland since the first coup jolted them out of their wits in 1987, followed by three more over as many decades, a majority of them have kept abreast of the goings on in Fiji. The community in New Zealand is more concerned about the social and economic needs of their compatriots in Fiji than the politics that betrays the country.
I have witnessed such compassion on several occasions in Auckland, the most recent of which was on July 23, when about 185 people gathered at the Chandini Chowk Function Centre (above Bikanervala Restaurant) in Papatoetoe to demonstrate yet again their compassion for people in Fiji.
The patrons, largely of Indo-Fijian extraction, helped raise funds through drinks, dinner, lucky dip and auction.
Dominating Poverty
Fenc Fiji Trust Chairman Sursen Singh said since its inaugural fundraising dinner held 11 months ago, the Organisation had raised $20,000 and supported 50 children in the six to 13 age group comprising children of Fijian, Indian and other ethnicities in Fiji.
He said poverty continues to dominate many Fijians, robbing them of their basic rights to food, shelter and education.
Mr Singh said education was the most important factor that would help alleviate poverty, by making the future citizens worthy of jobs and careers.
“Poverty grips more than 40% of Fijian families today, up from less that 10% when the country became independent in 1971. There is an urgent need to lift these children out of their worst plight,” he said.
According to Mr Singh, the short-term aim of the Trust is to reach out to the affected families and provide their children with basic education and continuous related support throughout their school years.
“The long-term goal is to secure their future and eradicate their poverty. The Trust envisages sustained improvement to the lives of children in Fiji. “The emerging trends indicate the inability of parents and guardians to provide the support of bare necessities for children to pursue meaningful education. Despite the efforts of various agencies, children of poor families continue to drop out of school for several reasons,” he said.
Encouraging signs
Trustee Harjeet Golian, who was the Master of Ceremonies, said Fenc Fiji New Zealand had touched the hearts of many people, which was an encouraging sign.
“Public support must be continuous and not restricted to a specified period. We have a major challenge to remove child poverty in Fiji and we can achieve through collective efforts,” he said.
Former Rotary District Governor and Community Leader Mike Jaduram outlined the objectives of the Trust, saying that it comprised like-minded people, dedicated to the cause.
He said he was confident that the Foundation would be frugal in spending on administration and other overheads and augment financial resources to achieve its prime goals and objectives.
“We hope to mobilise more funds this year to support more children through their school year in 2012,” he said.
As reported in our September 1, 2010 issue, Shobhna Golian, also a Trustee, said Fenc Fiji New Zealand would function as an independent voluntary, non-profit, cause-oriented organisation to provide educational and related support to children of the poorest of poor families in Fiji.
“Such support, in the form of scholarships covering fees and other education related necessary requirements (transport, food, school levies, text books and stationery) would be extended at primary, secondary as well as tertiary levels,” she said.
The Contribution Form can be downloaded from www.fencfiji.com
Completed forms should be sent to The Secretary, PO Box 24502, Royal Oak, Auckland 1345.
