Fenc Fiji is a Non-Political, Not for Profit, Cause Oriented, and voluntary organization with a mission to provide education and related support to the underprivileged children of the Fiji Islands. It is a locally based, national NGO founded in 2009 to address the issues of poverty reduction through the provision of education and related support to poor school children in Fiji.
An estimated 40% of Fiji’s population now lives below the poverty line, with children suffering the biggest blow. School dropout rates are alarming and on the increase. In recent years, the Ministry of Education in Fiji has estimated that 19% children enrolling at Class 1 drop out of school by Class 7. Of this 19% - 4% dropout in Class 4, at the age of only 9 years old. Several reasons highlighted as the main contributing factors to these dropout rates. Poverty, lack of access to education/school environment, violence in families, academic performance, pack of parental/communal guidance, children in transition (billeted children) children at high risk.
Fenc Fiji offers scholarships and related support to children of the poorest of the poor families, which have been identified as Deceased parent(s) where child is living under the care of a widow, widower or family member earning a weekly income below $100; Families with cash flow income below $100/week with one or several children with disabilities; children with one or both parents in prison; children of farm labourers/seasonal labourers engaged in piece-meal work in daily rates of $10–$15; children whose parent or parents with severe chronic illnesses or disabilities; children being raised by a single parent (widow/widower) with basic education, dependent upon support system; high risk families by loss of property through fire or displacement; children being forced to work and earn a living for ageing or severely ill/disabled parent/guardian.
Support from Fenc Fiji covers tuition at (approved, zoned) schools; school supplies such as (but not limited to the following) books, bags, shoes, stationary, and uniforms. Fenc Fiji ONLY assists children from Class 1 – Form 7; excludes Tertiary, Kindergarten and boarding schools unless cases of death, distance or emergencies. Fenc Fiji tries its best to cover the entire Fiji Islands, with 3 Divisional Officer. The Nadi office covers the entire Western Division; the Labasa office covers the entire Northern Division and the office, and the Suva office covering the Central/Eastern Division.