A Non-Governmental organisation in Fiji is offering counseling services to citizens irrespective of their political, religious and other affiliations.
Pacific Counselling and Social Services is a drop-in hub for hundreds of people who seek information, services and advise on financial and personal matters.
Social and Community Services Manager Kim Tilbury said centres located in Lautoka and Labasa provide holistic services to people who are vulnerable.
Both Centres offer Income Generation, General Counselling, Social Work Services and the Sekoula Programme, while Specialised Services for ex-prisoners and their families are available only at Lautoka, she said.
“The Centres provide a safe place for clients to access services in a friendly and non-discriminative environment. We have information on other social services that clients may need and connect them with the concerned,” Ms Tilbury said.
She said prisoners and ex-prisoners, sex workers, financially stressed and disabled were among the most prominent clients.
“The Prison Services Programme offers prisoners an opportunity for counselling, rehabilitation and reintegration into society. This has a positive impact on not only the prisoners themselves, but their families and wider society,” Ms Tilbury said.
She said the Sekoula Programme had assisted many sex workers in the Western and Northern divisions with information and advice on HIV and sexually transmitted infections and safe sexual practices.
“They have been provided social support, HIV testing, legal assistance, educational opportunities and other income generating programmes as alternatives to sex work as their main income source,” Ms. Tilbury said.
“The Income Generating Programme has helped more than 35 families generate sustainable income.”
Photo:
Field Officer Unaisi Ravuso with a client in Lautoka.
