Former inmate Dinesh Lal receives his brushcutter from Rehab officer George Bakoso.

Two former inmates in the West were visited by officers of the Fiji Corrections Service today with their assistance under the FCS’ Poverty Alleviation project.

Dinesh Lal, 32, of Wairuku in Rakiraki received a brush cutter worth $900.

Mr Lal said he had been waiting for this assistance for the past eight months.

“Now it’s a new beginning for me,” an elated Mr Lal said.

Under the FCS’ Poverty Alleviation project, inmates can apply for an assistance of $1000 which they can get upon their release to help them re-start their lives.

”My dream was to do a brush cutting business and now it has become a reality,” he said.

He plans to start cleaning the Wairuku cemetry and Wairuku Temple soon.

“With this brand new brush cutter, I will surely earn $80 a week for my family since I am looking after my elderly parents,” he said.

Viliame Driti, 30 of Nabuna, Tavua also received assistance in the form of a fishing net worth more than $800.00.

“I did not expect to receive such this but I am sure it will help my family survive and I will try and make the most of it,” he said.

With the new school year just around the corner, Mr Driti said the assistance would help him earn money for his daughter who will be in class one this year.

PAP applicants must meet certain conditions including having undergone rehabilitation programmes while being incarcerated.

www.corrections.org.fj