For more than a year we have not received any assistance from Govt and Fiji Council of Churches – Akauola

Adult Teen Challenge Fiji’s Director, Matai Akauola says it has been more than a year since they visited the Fiji Council of Churches and various ministries, including the Assistant Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Acting Commissioner of Police and Ministry of Youth for assistance regarding their new drug rehabilitation centre in Lololo, Lautoka.

Akauola highlighted this during fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan when asked if they had discussed their future plan with the government and other stakeholders.

He says they had reached out to the organizations in March last year where they were informed that they will be contacted.

The Director says there are many fake people around, and they will tell you something but their intentions are unknown. Akauola says the Fiji Council of Churches is also saying that they will get a program from South Africa but they have articulated to them that they have a program that has assisted people.

He says fijivillage Straight Talk is a show where they can call a spade a spade, and their program has helped people to become better individuals.

The Director further says they thought that the Fiji Council of Churches was a one-stop shop but they have realised that they might just go to every church.

He adds that they want to partner with the Ministry of Health so that they have experts and their knowledge in addressing this issue.

When asked what if they don’t see the program fit, Executive Director Hemraj Mangal says their program has existed around the world for 66 years and they have a success rate of 76 percent.

Mangal says this means people who have participated in the program do not return to their former lives after graduation.

He says he has been to many Adult Teen Challenge centres where they have a waiting list as people want to join because lives have changed and reformed and he is encouraging people to join their program.

The Executive Director says they have plans to make a men's centre along with a women's and children's centre.

They want to make an 80-bed centre for both men and women and have wanted to have facilities like a chapel, classroom, media and music room and library.

He says they are raising their own funds.

When asked about the medical aspect as the Ministry of Health is planning to set up a drug rehabilitation centre in Fiji, Akauola says they need to partner with them as they need experts to assist them and they will reach out to them.