SIGATOKA schoolchildren have been asked to take advantage of the education assistance provided by Australian-based charity Fiji Kids Learning for Life after 82 students received comprehensive financial support for their education this year.
At an enrolment ceremony last week, Kavanagasau Secondary School principal Chandra Pillay urged about 400 kids and parents to make full use of the scholarships.
“You are the luckiest families in the area.Your children will return to school this year with everything they need for their school year.”said Mr Pillay.
“You will not miss out on anything. There are not many people in this situation and I hope you take full advantage of this opportunity.”
Fiji Kids’ long term objective is to break the poverty cycle by providing access to education for disadvantaged children in the Sigatoka area. Children are selected by school heads on the basis of acute financial hardship and the students’ commitment to learning, regardless of academic performance.
Fiji Kids trustee Julie Hoskison said while many parents might not have had the opportunity of receiving a high school education, they appreciated the efforts made by charitable organisations to ensure their children were given a better start in life.
“What is obvious to everyone is the enormous potential of these young people,” she said.