My first Magazine UNDP REACH Impact Stories v13 web_FNL | Page 23

To access government services, the people in Naraiyawa
village catch the public bus very early in the morning
to towns like Navua or Suva, but have limited time to
spend in town to return on the same day. The bus fare
expense is another barrier for them to access these
services. A hundred and ninety-six people (120 women and 76
men) from three communities in Naqarawai district in
Namosi province accessed information and services
in the recent REACH service delivery using the mobile
office, a customized bus equipped to deliver services to
remote communities.
‘REACH mobile service delivery’ raises people’s
awareness on the rights enshrined in Fiji’s Constitution
and delivers social, economic and legal services
provided by the government at the doorsteps of the
people in Fiji. The services provided to the people range from
marriage certificates, bus fare assistance to women’s
club project support. Sixty people (32 women and 28
men) received legal aid services in regards to the civil,
family and criminal laws, 97 people (67 women and 30
men) accessed social welfare schemes, and 153 women
consulted officers from the Department of Women.
Savaira Marama Rakula, the happy bride said, “It will
really change our life. We are very excited with being
legally married. I feel fully part of the community, the
land and the church. We should be able to access to
government services available for married couples as
well as other services such as joint bank accounts. It will
bring about socio-economic benefits to us.”
It will really change our life. We are very excited with being
legally married. I feel fully part of the community, the land
and the church.
Savaira Marama Rakula, Naraiyawa Village
IMPACT STORIES Rights, Empowerment and Cohesion (REACH) for Rural and Urban Fijians Project
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