Parents and guardians have been advised to use this Christmas season to teach young people how to respect the elderly.
Speaking at a Christmas party at the Golden Age Home in Samabula this week, Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Rosy Akbar encouraged people to incorporate multi-generational activities.
“Coinciding with the Christmas celebration, the ministry used this opportunity to create advocacy on the respect and care of the senior citizens in our community,” she said.
Ms Akbar acknowledged the support and services provided by the TISI Sangam agency for agreeing to be part of the facilitating agency for the recruitment of staff members through Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) funding.
She also thanked the Australian Government for sponsoring the three months engagement of qualified officials to add value to the aged care homes in Fiji through the “Vuvale Partnership”.
The Australian Government has provided $300,000 to the ministry for assistance in the recovery and response measures for the eight existing aged care homes in Fiji.
In ensuring more efficient recruitment of a total of 112 staff members, DFAT has signed an agreement between the TISI Sangam and the ministry.
TISI Sangam will be responsible for the recruitment aspect of the partnership. Australian High Commissioner to Fiji John Feakes said care for the elderly and the most vulnerable was the Australian Government’s key priority.
