Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Sashi Kiran highlighted this during the groundbreaking ceremony for the new facility, which will be called the Veivakacokotaki Home.
Kiran says the centre will accommodate 24 boys and provide specialised care, counselling, rehabilitation, educational support, life skills training and other services to help them rebuild their lives.
She says regular street outreach operations carried out with Police, municipal councils and other stakeholders have found that many children living on the streets have fled abuse, neglect, violence or difficult family situations.
Kiran says some children have become disconnected from their families and communities and are exposed to glue sniffing, illicit drugs and exploitation.
She says when children under 18 are identified during these operations, they are brought into the Ministry's care, where social welfare officers carry out assessments and provide counselling, health checks and psychosocial support.
Kiran says the Ministry also works with families to reunite children where it is safe and in the child's best interests.
However, she says some children cannot safely return home immediately and require structured rehabilitation support.
Kiran says while the Ministry already has 13 facilities supporting children from difficult family circumstances, children living or spending time on the streets who are affected by substance abuse and other health issues cannot always be placed in those facilities.
She says this is why a dedicated rehabilitation centre is needed.
Kiran says some children who had been supported into education or employment later relapsed because they did not have proper rehabilitation support.
The facility is being developed with support from Habitat for Humanity Fiji, which Kiran says has matched Government funding for the project.
She says it took more than a year to complete the required design work and approvals, but construction is now ready to begin.
Meanwhile, Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Atonio Lalabalavu says the centre is an important investment in protecting vulnerable children and giving them access to child-friendly services.
Lalabalavu says children are increasingly being affected by drugs, HIV, homelessness and suicide, and many of these problems are linked to a breakdown in support from families and communities.
He says when children do not receive enough support at home or within their communities, government agencies and other partners must work together to provide it.
Lalabalavu says the Ministry of Health supports the development because it is already dealing with the health impacts of drugs, HIV and other serious issues affecting children.
He says the new centre will provide a place where vulnerable children can feel safe, understand their value and receive the support they need.
The groundbreaking ceremony brought together government ministers, development partners, faith-based organisations, civil society groups and community leaders.
@fijivillage.com Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Sashi Kiran explains how the new transitional rehabilitation Centre will provide focused support for vulnerable boys, helping them recover, continue their education and potentially reunite with their families
♬ original sound - fijivillage
