On September 28, 1984, the Fijian government designated a house on Domain Rd in Suva as a residence for four disabled girls. The initiative aimed to ensure that disabled individuals could live independently rather than being confined to institutions. Janet Braithwaite, an executive with the Australian Council for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled (ACROD), emphasized the importance of providing proper homes where these girls could engage in daily activities like shopping and cooking.
Following Braithwaite’s visit to Fiji in 1983, the Fiji Times reported that the girls were now thriving in their government-provided home. They were employed and earning wages to support themselves, alongside a weekly financial supplement of $50 from ACROD. The girls maintained monthly records of their expenses, which were sent to the ACROD headquarters in Canberra.
The house was adjusted to accommodate the specific needs of the girls, two of whom were polio survivors, one was paraplegic, and the fourth was deaf. Braithwaite noted that smaller groups foster a more home-like environment, preventing a return to institutionalization. “The whole objective is to train these older girls to live in a proper home on their own,” she stated, adding that they would have the option to rent their own apartments in the future.
During her 1983 trip, Braithwaite observed a lack of female representation in government-funded projects, prompting her to seek housing for older girls. With support from the National Council for Women and the Fiji government, the house was made available. Braithwaite expressed satisfaction in witnessing the success of the project and the girls’ improved quality of life.
Edith Paul, accompanying Braithwaite, highlighted that ACROD, established in 1962, provides disability services across Australia, East Asia, and the Pacific, with 300 affiliated associations and over $240,000 in annual aid from the Australian Government. The organization also contributes to teacher training and disability services in Fiji.