FORTY-TWO students of Chevalier Training Centre (CTC) now have the benefit of having a safe and clean space for recreational activities.
At the opening of the newly renovated recreation area and walkway yesterday, ANZ Fiji country head Saud Minam said it was their duty to make sure they provided the solutions to its people and communities as well as allow them to be part of an integrated society.
“This is like the fourth or the fifth project that we have actually done and normally we do a little bit more than that but this year because of the covid-19, I think our ANZ foundation has moved the focus a little bit differently,” he said.
“That is part and parcel of our daily, weekly or yearly plans in our ANZ Foundation.
“We are the privileged and we don’t appreciate everything which we have, just looking at their eyes and their smiles and their enthusiasm that takes care of everything.”
He said for the ANZ Foundation’s perspective they tended to work towards where they could make people happy.
“We can bring societies and communities to be part of a bigger inclusive community.
“Now we are also focusing a lot more on education piece,” said Mr Minam.
According to the director of the CTC Father John Fong, the vocational institute was mainly for underprivileged young men of Fiji who came from broken families and had not yet completed primary or secondary school education as well as those whose families were facing financial difficulties.
“We provide a two-year residential based vocational training program in automotive and small engine repairs (panel beating included), carpentry, cabinet making, welding and fabrication and farm management.
“We also teach support subjects such as English, maths, technical drawing, farm management/animal husbandry and life skill training,” he said.
The school is a non-profit organisation relying mostly on the funding from donor agencies. “However, the school is able to sell items, mainly from the farm and workshop produce to help in the daily operating costs.
“The school is also looking at ways in which it can become self-sufficient in providing for itself,” said Father Fong.
ANZ Staff Foundation was said to have funded more than $81,000 towards the renovation of centres recreation area and walkway.
