 Branch Update Page

FDPF Branches have continued to grow in strength and have began to work in partnership with stakeholders to strengthen their networks.

In the community, branches are still having challenges trying to reach out to all their members, and even trying to bring them all in one location for a meeting is another . Due to the vast

geographical locations that they are in.

Barriers to participation for persons with disabilities is still evident and the need to raise awareness within communities to ensure the rights of persons with disabilities are respected, active participation and access to vital services is still a problem.

In the national level, there is still the need to identify and making changes to laws, policies, institutions, and environments to which will trickle down to the grassroot level.

Members are looking forward to working with the new Government of the Day to ensure that this is made mandatory to all laws and policies within the country.

This year, FDPF have managed to revive 5 branches; Buca, Tailevu South, Labasa, Ra, and Vuya.

Ra FDPF Branch

Ra Branch since the formation of its new committee has been active in working closely with its Provincial council, the Social Welfare Department, Health Department, Education Department and the Rakiraki Town Council in ensuring that the plights of persons with disabilities in Ra are taken into consideration.

Recently they have been able to re-activate their frozen bank account and were part of an economic empowerment workshop facilitated by the Pacific Disability Forum in Rakiraki where 9 member from the Ra Branch were part of the training.

Vuya FDPF Branch

Vuya Branch since its formation have been meeting monthly and doing house to house visitation of its members as it tries to collate all data from members within its branches. The committee continue to empowering members and help support village development projects in order to raise awareness on nothing about us, without us!

Buca Bay FDFP Branch

Buca Bay ‘’Always Nice’’ have kept members occupied with things that they can do using their hands. With monthly visitation to their elderly members, to visitation to other villages, the women group have also began to teach women still in their youths on baking, weaving and cooking.

Tailevu South FDPF Branch

Still at its prime, the committee are trying to plan out ways that will enable them to visit all 69 villages by 2023. Since the formation of its new committee, there have been plans to visit all villages within the Tailevu South boundary by November 2023. They would like to collate and visit all persons with disabilities and are seeking the support and assistance of

all Turaga ni Koro and health workers within this 69 villages to gather data of members on the grounds.

Tavua FDPF Branch

Tavua Branch has continued to strive, working strongly with its partners and members by ensuring that all members are well looked after and their rights respected and looked after from all stakeholders and partners within Tavua. They have out reached as far as Vatukoula and up Nadarivatu in search for members and raising awareness.

Rewa FDPF Branch

Rewa Branch is a class of its own, always coming up with creative ways to keep members busy and active in the community. From gardening to flower arrangement to pillow cases, earrings, necklaces, woven bags and baby mats, members are always eager to learn and participate in activities that bring about self empowerment as well as economic empowerment.

Nadi FDPF Branch

Nadi Branch continues to rise as they slowly gather members around Nadi area. With a office now at the DO office, the branch committee now have a location where they can work from and serve their members needs and wants efficiently. Plans are underway to tap on partners to enable to the committee to reach out to communities in the greater Nadi area.

Rabi FDPF Branch

Rabi branch have continued to raise awareness on the plights of persons with disabilities in each villages. A lot of persons with disabilities are still being dis-