Minister for Youth and Sports

Hon.Parveen Kumar Bala

Friday, 9th September, 2022, 10:00am

 

Salutation:

• Invited Guests,
• Participants,
• Ladies and Gentlemen.

 

Bula Vinaka and a very good morning to you all.

 

Today marks a special day for you all as it brings to a closure your education journey on Care-Giving.

 Care Giving Courses have attracted interests from many Fijians because of its potential employment opportunities locally and abroad.

A caregiver or carer, Ladies and Gentlemen is an unpaid or paid person who helps another individual with an impairment with his or her activities of daily living. Any person with a health impairment might use caregiving services to address their difficulties.

 

While graduating with certificates in Care Giving gives you employment opportunities, let us not forget or turn a blind eye on our own family or community members who have physical, psychological, or developmental needs.

 

Throughout the years we have witnessed our relatives and friends leaving for other countries to work as Care Givers.

 

This exodus has encouraged others like you to go through formal training in this vocation in these modern times.

 

Care giving qualifications are a requirement now to be an aide in the hospitals and related fields such as an Old People’s Home and other care related homes.

 

 

It does not limit this important qualification to these institutions as it is also recognized for work in hotels in terms of supervision of children when tourist families come for a holiday. 

 

Fijians are well known for Care Giving in a number of developed countries such as Australia, New Zealand and the United States of America. This calling in itself can be a pathway for you to gain employment overseas and support families back home.

 

Let this be your pathway to success. Let it be the dream that will take you places and most of all let it ease the hardship or difficulties faced by each individual you will be caring for in the not too distant future.

 

Ladies and Gentlemen, we are also here closing this week of training in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights. It is my sincere hope that the young people who have gathered this week have developed their own minds in regards to their sexuality, their families and their futures.

 

The Ministry of Youth and Sports strives to build healthy and socially engaged youth through non-formal education. This program is an opportunity for participants to gather and explore the topics of human rights, sexuality and gender, reproduction, healthy relationships, and mental health care so that they may carry these lessons throughout their lives and in every endeavour they undertake.

 

The lessons learned here provide a foundation of practical health and medical knowledge, well-being, and respect. Upon this foundation, you young people can build towards your dreams; whether they are building your own business or farm, pursuing a career in sports or music, or continuing with your formal education goals.

 

Every journey begins with a single step and today you will take the first step in your journey through the caregiving world.

 

Be conscious of who you are and who you represent. Your good works will open door for others and ensure employment for your peers who will follow your footsteps.

 

Be an example to your peers by displaying honesty and integrity. Do not become a liability but be an asset for who you serve and I pray that you all will be successful in your chosen field.

 

Ladies and Gentlemen, on behalf of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and the Fijian Government I CONGRATULATE YOU ALL on your achievement and wish you well in your endeavors.

 

Vinaka and Thank you.

 

-ENDS-