ARUKA Fiji, a civil society organization dedicated to supporting vulnerable groups, has revealed that most street children it engages with come from urban and peri-urban areas. Inoke Drauna, the founder of ARUKA, shared that the organization’s extensive street outreach work has highlighted how many young individuals living on the streets originate from locations such as Qauia, Kalekana, and parts of Lami.
Operating out of Suva, ARUKA focuses on providing assistance to marginalized populations, including homeless children, youth, widows, and abandoned teenagers. Drauna emphasized that while ARUKA has always concentrated on street-based services, it has increasingly recognized the significant role that urban settlements play in leading young people to life on the streets.
Drauna pointed out, “We have always been on the streets providing services for people that are on the streets,” noting the prevalence of street children from urban settings. He stressed the importance of raising awareness about the challenges faced within these communities, including issues of depression, grief, loss, and abandonment, which often precede a child’s journey to the streets.
To combat these challenges, ARUKA offers a toll-free helpline at 1528, providing much-needed psychosocial support to individuals experiencing emotional distress. Drauna encouraged those facing feelings of depression, grief, or abandonment to reach out for assistance through this helpline.
Additionally, ARUKA is working to strengthen its networks with stakeholders and designated contacts within urban settlements to enhance early intervention efforts and improve youth engagement. This network allows for timely responses when a need arises for employability services or awareness programs.
Drauna emphasized the necessity of community collaboration in addressing the root causes of youth homelessness, advocating for proactive measures rather than reactive responses once young people find themselves homeless. This focus aims to foster supportive environments where children and young adults can thrive, ultimately reducing the number of young individuals living on the streets. Through these initiatives, ARUKA hopes to create a more hopeful future for vulnerable youth in Fiji.
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