When the issue of poverty is raised, people often visualise images of starving children in parts of Africa and Asia. These images may not be so starkly visible in Fiji and the Pacific, having the image of a tropical paradise. However, there is evidence of poverty of varying degrees and magnitude. If something is not done about the situation of children in Fiji and the greater Pacific, in time to come the images of starving children would become a reality in this part of the world.

Introduction
  • An estimated 43% of the total population in Fiji live in poverty of varying degrees.
  • Over 40% of children in Fiji are currently malnourished.
  • Around 104,000 people in Fiji currently reside in squatter settlements (shanty towns). The squatter population includes Indigenous Fijian as well as Indo-Fijian families.
  • Considerable concerns are being expressed that an increasing number of children who are day scholars bring inadequate or no lunches to school.
  • While aid agencies largely concentrate upon development-focused approaches to poverty alleviation, the immediate needs of children such as nutrition and access to education remain unattended. Voluntary agencies often struggle to cater for the growing number of children in need of assistance, food, shelter, and education.
  • There are indications of declining health conditions among children of all ages. Their decline is a loss of human resource upon which communities grow and develop.
  • Although basic food supplies are distributed to destitute families in some areas, appropriate feeding programs and children's nutritional needs in urban as well as rural communities remain neglected.

News & Updates

  • We've Reached 150 Million Meals Donated

    www.nourishthechildren.com, Friday, April 17, 2009

    In just over 5 years NTC surpassed 100 million meals donated. now having topped 150 million meals, we are well on our way to exceeding the next 100 million in just 3 years.

  • Fiji feeding scheme set to expand to India

    www.sandesh.co.nz, Thursday, February 05, 2009

    A former Auckland man, who initiated a charitable feeding scheme for the children of Fiji, has plans to spread the programme on a large scale in India.

  • Poor feed on chicken heads

    www.fijitimes.com, Friday, October 31, 2008

    Chicken heads is becoming one of the most sought after food in western homes, particularly in households of financially beleaguered Tavua town.

  • Child sex offence questions safety

    www.fijitimes.com, Friday, October 31, 2008

    The reports of child sexual offence in communities and institutions raise questions about the safety of children, says Fiji Council of Social Services tutor Irshad Ali.

  • A life at a time

    www.tvnz.co.nz, Sunday, July 20, 2008

    They are Fiji's dark secret: children suffering. While New Zealanders escape winter at Fijian resorts, just down the road and out of sight, kids with a raft of congenital birth defects are sadly deprived.

  • NZ$1,420.80 raised at Kurek Ashley's Power up to Peak Performance Seminar

    Saturday, July 19, 2008

    Participants at Kurek Ashley's Power up to Peak Performance Weekend Seminar in Auckland, New Zealand on the 19th of July 2007 donated NZ$920.80 for the Nourish Fiji Children Project. Kurek Ashley donated a further NZ$500, taking the total proceeds to NZ$1,420.80. This money will buy 52 bags of VitaMeal®, which will provide 1 nutritious meal a day to 52 children in Fiji for 30 days.

    To learn more about Kurek Ashley and his programs, visit www.kurekashley.com

  • One meal a day, Wati struggles on

    www.fijitimes.com, Sunday, June 29, 2008

    The recent fuel increase has pushed a 78-year-old widow that shares a shack with her 48-year-old single son to survive on one meal a day.

  • Teachers feed 15 students

    www.fijitimes.com - MERESEINI MARAU, Thursday, June 05, 2008

    Three children who are in a household that has no woman are part of a group of 15 students who are fed breakfast and lunch by the teachers of Vatukoula Convent School.

  • Truth behind our poverty

    www.fijitimes.com - WADAN NARSEY, Sunday, June 10, 2007

    Who are the poorest in the country? Who are the largest groups of poor? How much 'affirmative action' resources should government give to each group to close the "poverty gap?"