The young girls living at Mahaffy Girls Home had a reason to smile this week after receiving a timely donation to provide them to a good start to a new school term.

The donation packages comprising of school stationaries, shoes, bags and clothing’s along with afternoon tea for the girls was made by possible by the “Gift of Love Network” that coordinated the delivery of this assistance by Ms Mohini Narayin, an Australian citizen.

During the official handing over of the donation, Ms Mohini Narayin said that it was a wonderful experience for her to be at Mahaffy Girls Home to assist in providing the basic needs of the girls.

“I feel great to have made this contribution. It gives me happiness to see the smile on their faces of these girls. I am grateful for this opportunity and certainly this is not my last visit here, for I will also consider assisting them with their other needs like cooking stove and it’s indeed a privilege to have made a positive difference in this way,” Ms Narayin added.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation permanent secretary Mr Govind Sami said the assistance would fulfill the educational needs for the girls at the home.

“The Social welfare ministry acknowledges this timely donation to help Mahaffy Girls Home with educational resources,” Mr Sami said.

Ms Kaajal Kumar, a representative of “Gift of Love Network” highlighted how their organisation works towards addressing the needs of disadvantaged children in our communities.

“We see this as a great opportunity to bridge the social gap that exists for underprivileged children. Our network works with Fijians around the globe and we have done similar programs for Boys Centre and Happy Home,” Ms Kumar said.

The Mahaffy Girls Home is state residential care home for girls aged between 12 to 19 who are either orphans or in need of care and protection under the supervision of the Ministry of Social Welfare.

Currently a total of 14 girls live at this Home and last month a Memorandum of Agreement (MOU) was signed between Ministry of Social Welfare and Global Compassion as the new service provider for the management of Mahaffy Girls Home in Suva.

(L to R) Ms Mohini Narayin at the official handing over donation to Mrs Ulamila Saioni, Manager of Mahaffy Girls Home in Domain Road, Suva yesterday