The 7th of July 2015 was a date never to be forgotten by Fusi Alofa Association (FAA) Tuvalu as it was the first time for a government minister to visit the office of the Association since the day it was established. The Minister of Education Youth and Sports visit, to Fusi Alofa Special School boosted the morale of the students and made everyone in the office excited.
The delegation was warmly welcomed by the President of Fusi Alofa Miss Mine Pilikosi in which she highlighted that “Education is the Key to success”, mentioning that Fusi Alofa Special School is the “heart” and the “future” of the Association.
She emphasised that the school is a blessing to the Association. The young generation is the Association’s future; they will be educated well through the school and will make a change to the lives of persons with disabilities in Tuvalu.
She said unlike the past their access to education is limited and for some there’s none because their parents believed that they should stay home and not attend school because of the stigma that society has against persons with disabilities. Therefore, persons with disabilities were unfortunate in those days to access education.
The Minister emphasized in his visit, that the government is keen to support all school and see their achievement and, the challenges that caused problems to the learning environment of the students. Furthermore, he aimed to collect requests and identify the needs of each school. While visiting sections that was prepared by the Teachers, the minister says “It’s a challenge but we can work together to ensure that everyone enjoyed their rights to education.”
The Office Manager provided an updated report to the Minister and his delegation requesting the minister for their support to the school in terms of funding for the teacher’s salaries, space for the school and other needs to upgrade the standard of Fusi Alofa Special School.
The Minister’s visit was a rare event for FAA Tuvalu as usually the government cabinet ministers and senior officials are invited by the Association to attend activities and programs organised outside the premises of FAA Tuvalu.
FAA Tuvalu members, volunteers, teacher and stakeholders felt relived after they shared the needs of the school to the Minister, hence ensuring that all persons including persons with disabilities have access to education. Gifts were presented to the Minister and his delegation by students of Fusi Alofa Special School.
The gifts presented were handicrafts made by the students of the school in their livelihood workshops.
For more information please contact Ms. Matakina Simii on email fusialofa@gmail.com or (688) 902139