Ministry to assist children found selling ivi

The Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation will be assisting the two boys found selling “ivi” on the streets of Ba.

Ministry said they are from Natunuku village who claim that they were sent by their parents to sell ‘ivi’ to help buy their school stationery.

The case was brought to the attention of Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Rosy Akbar during her official visit to Ba, earlier last week.

The Minister said they have visited the family of the boys and held discussions with the parents.

The school in which these boys have been attending has also been contacted to ensure that they go to the classes regularly.

The Ministry is now re-assessing their case to find the best possible way to assist them.

The social welfare office in Ba is closely monitoring this case and the Ministry will not tolerate any form of child labor or child begging for that matter.

Families who face financial difficulties are assisted through the Ministry’s Care and Protection Program.

However, Akbar said they will not condone any act where a child’s safety and well-being is being compromised.  

The Ministry has also recently, taken off four children from Lautoka who were found begging on the streets.

These children are now placed into residential care homes and the Ministry wants to ensure that they get the best education.

Parents are advised to stop using children to earn income and Akbar reiterated that any child found on the streets will be taken into state care and looked after by the Ministry.