A significant number of street children in Fiji are identified as iTaukei boys, according to Ben Morrison, co-founder of Inspire Pacific. During an interview with The Fiji Times’ online portal, Morrison highlighted the difficulties faced by the iTaukei community, particularly in urban areas where homelessness is becoming increasingly prevalent.
Morrison emphasized that the boys currently enrolled in their program are exclusively iTaukei, and he refuted the stereotype that the community is neglectful. Instead, he attributed the challenges to the broader impacts of urbanization and modernization, which have disrupted traditional social and cultural structures.
He stated, “The homeless situation is a city problem. In the villages, there is no such thing as homelessness because the social and cultural systems are more communal,” explaining that in village settings, community members support one another. Morrison noted that the transition to city life often leads to individuals finding it difficult to adapt their values, resulting in a stark contrast between community-oriented village life and the competitive nature of urban living.
Addressing these issues requires the iTaukei community to find ways to incorporate their cultural values into urban settings while tackling the root causes of homelessness and the prevalence of street children.
This situation parallels concerns raised by the Catholic Church in Fiji, which has noted an alarming increase in street dwellers in Suva, also predominantly iTaukei. Church representatives, such as Ben Salacakau, have called for a united community response to address this growing issue. The church has initiated efforts to provide immediate aid, including food and shelter, while also advocating for long-term solutions like counseling and job training programs to help street dwellers reintegrate into society.
The challenges identified by both Morrison and Salacakau underscore a pressing need for collaborative efforts from families, communities, and organizations aimed at addressing the homelessness crisis, particularly among vulnerable populations like the iTaukei street children.
In conclusion, bringing awareness to these issues fosters hope that communities will come together to support one another and find sustainable solutions to the homelessness crisis in Fiji.
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