Tuesday 09 January, 2018
Vodafone ATH Fiji Foundation in partnership with Western Charity Alliance handed $5,000 to ICare, a ‘love’ home for a group of disadvantaged children.
"When we care, we transform behaviours and talents, and when we transform lives, especially the lives of the disadvantaged,” said the Foundation Executive Ambalika Devi Prakash
ICare’s volunteer carers - Margaret Wise and Felix Chaudhary - said the drive to care for this particular group of children was propelled by love and compassion, and a desire to bring smile and happiness on the faces of the not so fortunate.
The couple have been taking care of at risk children, some impoverished through circumstances beyond their control, since 2012.
“The welfare of children is something that we are passionate about and we are grateful that the Vodafone ATH Fiji Foundation recognises the need to support these children in a manner that is sustainable in the long term,” Ms Wise said.
“We don't operate like a vulnerable children's home, but like a family that is creative and innovative and does things differently,” Mr Chaudhary added.
ICARE president Padro Laddpeter, who himself is a part of the ‘love home’, said all children were encouraged to explore their talents and skills.
“Whether it is in storytelling, food, dance, entertainment or in fun events, we learn to be faithful in the little things, beginning from our chores,” Mr Laddpeter said.
“When we learn to be diligent and responsible for the little things, we grow to love what we do and this makes us happy. As a result, we are able to spread this joy to those we come into contact with.”
"It's like a vision home for, and by the youths, to prepare us for the future.
“Our hope is that we can use this blessing from the foundation to not only help us, but to bless others as well that creates future for children who use their talents culture and tradition to make a difference in their lives as well as those out there, he said.
Six of the 12 children at ICare are musically inclined but the absence of musical instruments due to lack of funding severely limited the children’s creativity and potential to thrive.
They have had to rely on the generosity of others, using borrowed guitars whenever the opportunity arose to hone their skills.
“Owning our musical instruments will make such a big difference because it will give us the opportunity to practice, learn and expand our creative talents,” said secretary Keshia Sariri.
“We will also get the chance to use our talent to generate income by playing music as a group. This will be useful to us not only now, but later in life as well because playing an instrument is a skill.”
“The children are excited and so overjoyed that we can now buy some of our instruments and perfect our skills.
Ms Sariri said the plan was to use the funds to generate revenue from catering, performing at events, playing and entertaining at birthdays and anniversaries.
Over time, the children also want to buy raw materials for salusalu and dance material.
“Ten of the children at our ‘love home’ are in school so the profits generated will be used in the health and education needs of the children.”
Mr Chaudhary said while the children were brought up in in love, they were also firm and very honest about the world.
“We are optimistic that the support will ensure that we sustain whatever project we undertake.
The couple met the first child they took care of at a funeral in 2009 where as a 15-year-old orphan she had dropped out of school without completing Class 8. They took care of her and with the help of a Methodist Church pastor put her back into school until she completed Form 6. She left to live with her family after completing a short course in tourism. She is now working in Savusavu and lives with her family. There have been a stream of children since then, and presently we are taking care of 12 children", said Ms Wise.
