Life on the streets is hard and Fiji needs a centre to look after street dwellers – Ahava Project

Life on the streets is difficult and Fiji needs a centre for the street dwellers in the future.

This was stated by founder of Ahava Project Fiji, Naina Senito who says they are looking after about 50 street kids and sex workers in Suva and about the same in Nadi and Lautoka.

Senito says the project was initiated to look after the well-being of street dwellers, kids, sex workers and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transexual, Queer and Intersex community.

She says Suva has a rising number of street kids and adult dwellers.

Senito adds there are potential street dwellers who are interested in education, however they are deprived of it.

The Ahava founder says there are various reasons why the dwellers are on the streets, and these include cases of abuse at home, deceased parents where children are kept under the care of guardians, peer pressure, feeling of being neglected and feeling of being unwanted.

She also says some are seeking freedom from restrictions and some have been living on the streets for as long as about 25 years.

She further says PIANGO and UNDP have reached out to Ahava on various things like their upcoming projects, also with street feeding and barbers to the streets projects.

Senito adds Suva based thrift with a change also provide clothing and food to the street dwellers.

She further says no financial support was received from any other organisation but support was given by individuals after they were discovered via social media.