Social welfare recipients in the central division were today presented with equipment to assist them to generate income.
This latest development was made possible for welfare recipients through a partnership agreement between the MH (Morris Hedstrom) and Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation.
The Minister, Hon. Rosy Akbar, was present at MHCC in Suva today to handover the giveaways to 8 of the social welfare recipients who took part in the MH’s monthly promotional draw competitions. The giveaways included 4 Kawasaki brush cutters, each worth $799, two Brother sewing machines worth $369.00 each and one Watts Solar Panel worth $349.
The winners are recipients of government’s Poverty Benefit Scheme and Care and Protection Program. They are assisted through monthly cash allowances and $50 monthly food vouchers which they had redeemed at the MH supermarkets.
While speaking at the event, Minister Akbar said that this initiative is created to economically empower social welfare recipients.
“We believe that the tools that are given to you will assist the welfare recipients to earn a living. This initiative is closely aligned with the Ministry’s Welfare Graduation Program through which we equip the welfare recipients with tools to help then venture into workfare. The Ministry is grateful to MH’s for this partnership to ensure that together, we make a positive difference in the lives of the underprivileged individuals and families.
“We had similar initiatives undertaken for the welfare recipients in Nadi and Ba last week. The Ministry has over 20,000 welfare recipients, so to the winners here today, I encourage you to make good use of these tools. For those who are presented with sewing machines, should you need training the Ministry will arrange that for you,” Minister Akbar said.
64 year old widow, Ms Mereani Vakatoboicu was overwhelmed to receive a Brother Sewing Machine. Ms Vakatoboicu who lives in Veisari, Lami is being assisted through the Care and Protection since 2006.
“I have always been passionate about sewing and in the past years I had been using needles for sewing. I am thankful to the Ministry and MH’s for providing me with this wonderful gift that would help me to sew school uniforms and sulu jaba to earn income for my living,” Ms Vakatoboicu said.
PRESS RELEASE