The Minister for Local Government, Maciu Nalusima, took decisive action to support eight individuals who were discovered living in Sukuna Park. Late yesterday, he shared on social media that he encountered three of them sleeping in the park’s dais, with another five joining shortly after he reached out to the Suva City Council management at 7:00 PM.
Reflecting on this experience, Minister Nalusima described it as a “fruitful and emotional talanoa session,” where he listened to their stories, which shed light on their circumstances, reasons for being on the streets, and their aspirations for the future. He highlighted that these young adults felt overlooked, neglected, and unloved, with societal stigma adding to their daily challenges and hindering their progress.
In response, Minister Nalusima committed to collaborating with his ministry and the council to develop strategies aimed at addressing their immediate needs, particularly in terms of housing and employment opportunities. Notably, two young women expressed interest in starting their small businesses, while one young man preferred to return to his home village in Lau.
The Minister assured that he would engage relevant stakeholders to help these individuals pursue their dreams. He emphasized the ministry’s commitment to working closely with these young Fijians to prevent them from returning to the streets in the future.
This initiative by the Minister sheds light on the critical issue of homelessness and emphasizes the importance of community support and government intervention in helping vulnerable populations. It represents a hopeful step towards improving the lives of those affected and fostering an environment where everyone can thrive.
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