Habitat for Humanity Fiji has announced a new collaboration with the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection to construct a child wellbeing centre aimed at providing essential support services for children living and working on the streets throughout Fiji’s four divisions. This partnership was formalized with the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement, underscoring their shared commitment to enhance child protection systems in accordance with the Child Care and Protection Act 2024 and the Child Justice Act 2024.
The new centre is designed to offer a safe and supportive environment for children in need of care and protection. It is expected to serve as a central hub for coordinated interventions that include access to social services, psychosocial support, referral pathways, and reintegration programmes for affected children.
Sashi Kiran, the Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection, expressed that this collaboration is a significant advancement in the effort to protect vulnerable children. She affirmed the Ministry’s dedication to working alongside key stakeholders, development partners, and civil society organizations to ensure that every child in Fiji has a safe and supportive upbringing.
Kiran emphasized that the initiative aligns with national priorities aimed at preventing neglect, exploitation, and abuse while addressing the underlying issues that push children to live on the streets.
Sangita Kumar, the Interim National Director of Habitat for Humanity Fiji, expressed the organization’s honor in partnering with the government on this pivotal project. She highlighted that this collaboration merges governmental leadership with community-based expertise to create sustainable infrastructure that fosters child development, safety, and dignity. Moreover, this initiative is expected to bolster community resilience and promote inclusive social development.
The construction of the child wellbeing centre will commence once the technical and implementation arrangements are finalized, with the facility specifically designed to cater to the needs of children requiring care and protection services. The location of the centre has yet to be disclosed, but its establishment marks a hopeful step towards improving the lives of vulnerable children across the nation.
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