Golden Age Home to benefit from a special bus through $279,000 assistance by the Government of Japan

52 residents of Golden Age Home will benefit from a special 35-seater bus that will be purchased through a $279,000 assistance by the Government of Japan provided to the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation.

Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Mereseini Vuniwaqa says this is a timely assistance as these residents have been facing difficulties in transportation for medical treatments, recreational activities and for other social welfare support services.

Vuniwaqa says in the quest to leave no Fijian behind, this assistance also addresses the National Aging Policy Goals of "Promoting an inclusive, protective, healthy aging and the provision of enabling environments for Older Persons".

She says it is only through strengthened and potential collaboration that we can make a difference in the lives of those we are mandated to serve.

Japanese Ambassador to Fiji, Kawakami Fumihiro says this assistance will help improve the physical well-being and emotional health of the residents.

The Embassy of Japan in Fiji has widely implemented 396 Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects in areas such as education, water supply, health and transportation worth more than US $28.7 million in Fiji.