Donation
Lending a helping hand
Assistance Commissioer of Prisons Orisi Vuki receives cheque from Fiji Tattslotto Manager Mr Graenme Brown as donation to the Yellow Ribbon Project.
It is a cause worthy of support says Graeme Browne of Fiji Tattslotto when he handed over a cheque for $4000 to the Yellow Ribbon Project.
“If the Crime Stoppers have been formed and recognised, we can’t we support this one,” says Mr Browne.
Fiji Tattslotto is the latest of a growing number of business houses who are coming forward to assist in the inaugural launch of the Yellow Ribbon on October 11, 2008. Yellow Ribbon coordinating committee chairman SP Akuila Namakadre says assistance have been dripping in slowly but a surely coming.
“We have approached key stakeholders and business houses and we are thankful for the support that we getting so far,” the Supervisor at the Prison Headquarters says.
Those who have come forward to assist include ANZ, Post Fiji, Colonial, Telecom, Asco,
ANZ DONATES NEW COMPUTERS
ANZ Bank further demonstrates its goodwill to the Fiji Prisons and Correctional Service with a donation of computers under its Butterfly Project. In the handing over afternoon tea, Commissioner of Prisons Ioane Naivalurua assured ANZ that computer would certainly be put to good use.
“It will surely assist in the Yellow Ribbon Project.”
He said the computers will be for training of both officers and inmates. The computers were handed over by the bank’s Chief Operating Officer Mr Andrew Miriklis who said that ANZ was pleased to be able to assist in the Yellow Ribbon Project through the computers. The Department is currently undergoing basic skills training of officers at the Staff Training College in Naboro and aims to achieve over 80 per cent computer literacy by the end of the year. The eight computers will add to the 10 computers in the computer lab.
ANZ has allowed inmates to open bank accounts through its rural banking services. Inmates who have been permitted to sell their vegetable produce are encouraged to save through ANZ.
OFF LOADERS DONATE TOWARDS YRP
The COMPRI Brigadier Ioane Naivalurua is flanked by the FPSC Director Education Training & Rehabilitation Mr. Peniasi
Kunatuba after receiving a $1000 cheque from the President FAOCA Mr. Jeremaia Misiki and their treasurer Mr. Atama
Matauloki.
The old adage ‘action speaks louder than voices’ rang true, this morning (Tuesday November 17) when the Fiji Archipelagic Off-loaders Co-operative Association (FAOCA) donated $1000 to the Yellow Ribbon Project (YRP).
Receiving the donation from the FAOCA President Mr Jeremaia Misiki and Treasurer Mr Atama Mataloki, the Commissioner FPCS Brigadier General Ioane Naivalurua said that FAOCA was the first Fijian Association to come forward and pledge their support to the YRP initiative.
“This is the first Fijian Association to come forth and pledge their support to the Yellow Ribbon Project.
“I am happy to receive this kind donation on behalf of the Yellow Ribbon Project and the inmates, this donation will go towards the development and growth of the inmates.”
The Commissioner told the two representatives from FAOCA that recently he was asked if the FPCS had a huge YRP fund like the Malaysian jurisdiction and people where surprised when his answer was no.
“I told them that while we had tremendous in-roads with our Yellow Ribbon Project we did not beg for one penny or cent, but we only asked for peoples’ good heart, once you have their good heart then the money will come.”
While presenting the cheque to the Commissioner, Mr Jeremaia Misiki said that they had heard about the good work of the YRP through the media and it was unanimously decided at their recent AGM to donate to this worthy course.
“We believe that our association has been very fortunate since the Prime Minister approved our cooperative licence, last year.
“It was decided that we use our good fortune for the good of others.”
FAOCA Treasurer Mr Atama Mataloki said that the decision to donate towards the YRP was a collective one as most of the members had similar backgrounds.
“The AGM was in agreement that we donate to the Yellow Ribbon Project because most of us in the association come from similar backgrounds and are ex-offenders.
“We agreed that something new is happening in Fiji and we believe that the Fiji Prisons is heading in the right direction.
“We were given a chance by the Prime Minister when he approved our licence and now we want to give a chance to our brothers and sisters inside.
“We will be making a donation every year,” the former boxing champion said.
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