Incomes of people in the Yasawa Group was crippled when the tourism industry was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
This prompted the Foundation for Rural Integrated Enterprises and Development (FRIEND) to assist students in the group with stationery kits to ease the burden of families who depended heavily on tourism for their sources of income.
The NGO delivered 313 stationery kits to four schools within the group. Schools that were assisted were: Yasawa North Secondary School; Ratu Meli Memorial Primary School; Bouwaqa Primary School; and Bukama Primary School.
As part of the assistance, the schools also received water tanks and fittings. FRIEND Fiji director Sashi Kiran said many on the island did not qualify for assistance from the Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF).
“The economy of the Yasawa Islands has been crippled since they have been heavily dependent on tourism,” she said.
“Many don’t qualify for FNPF assistance as they belong to the informal sector and their livelihoods were dependent on the supply of coconuts and fish to resorts.
“Many parents haven’t enrolled students as they are away on the mainland looking for jobs. “Most school managers said they will know by next week actual enrolment numbers.”
Ms Kiran said damaged schools and homes posed a risk of further damage in the event another cyclone struck Fiji.
