THE Foundation for the Education of Needy Children (FENC) in Fiji has supported more than 7000 children this year.
And this has brought its total reach to more than 39,000 children since its inception, says its executive coordinator Nirmala Nambiar.
Speaking during an interview in Nakasi this week, Ms Nambiar reflected on the organisation’s 15-year journey of supporting vulnerable children across Fiji, including those from low-income and maritime communities.
“This year we did over 7000,” Ms Nambiar said. We were established in 2009, and we started giving assistance in 2010.
“That’s about 15 years. It was slow, then we had COVID, and then we picked up again. Now, it’s just gone to another level.”
Despite the growth, Ms Nambiar said financial constraints remained the organisation’s biggest challenge.
“Look at the genuine needs of these children. When they’re into drugs, you hear stories, it’s heartbreaking, and that’s what we are trying to break through.
“We want children to be helped. We want them to be leaders of tomorrow and that they can break out the change.”
