22 people living on the streets assisted with food and psychological counselling by Osborne during COVID-19 lockdown

Project Officer and Office Manager for the Psychiatric Survivors Association of Fiji, Sera Osborne helped 22 people living on the streets by providing them with food and psychological counselling.

Osborne has been recognised as a real-life hero on World Humanitarian Day.

For 3 days, Osborne initially cooked and delivered meals to all 22 people living on streets on her own expense, before funds from various other organisations came through to help her assist these members.

Osborne says that majority the people living on the streets are members of the Psychiatric Survivors Association, and when the news of COVID 19 broke out in Fiji, people started panicking and this affected their members most of whom have psycho-social impairments.

She says some were even considering hurting themselves.

Osborne says she had to do her research over the internet on what COVID-19 was and deconstruct it to fit their comprehension.

She adds that she then went out to them and explained what it was when she took the hot meals for them.

The Psychiatric Survivors Association of Fiji has the most vulnerable groups who require psycho-social attention, those suffering from depression, bi-polar, schizophrenia, anxiety and people living on streets.

She adds her work ensures that no one is left behind.

Osborne says people who want to assist them with basic food items can contact her on 8031133.