The spirit of giving and kindness is shining bright this Diwali, with 100 packages prepared for vulnerable families across Lautoka to ensure they too can enjoy the festival of lights.
Speaking to fijivillage News, Lautoka resident Narayan Reddy says 80 packages were prepared through local contributions, while another 20 were funded by his brother who lives in Australia.
Reddy says each package includes food, prepared sweets, items for Diwali Pooja and six bottles of drinking water to help families, particularly those facing water shortages.
He says the initiative has been running for about five years and was inspired by conversations he used to have with his late friend, Allen Lockington about helping families during Diwali and Christmas.
Reddy says they continue to honour that tradition by distributing packages to between 80 and 100 families during the festive seasons.
He says preparations for the packages took about one to two weeks.
He says while some families have everything they need to celebrate Diwali, others struggle to afford even the basic items.
Reddy is encouraging people to share what they have, support vulnerable families and ensure everyone gets an opportunity to celebrate Diwali.
