HART for the less fortunate

THE housing demand in Fiji is expected to increase each year as the population of the country grows.

The Housing Assistance and Relief Trust (HART) aims at providing homes for the destitute, to attend to their welfare needs and provide shelter and support for individuals.

“HART is a charitable organisation that seeks to provide homes for the destitute, in particular, women and children in Fiji,” said Pasirio Furivai, the chief executive officer of HART in Fiji.

Currently there are 795 flats offered by the organisation. Since its establishment in 1970, it has annually been assisting approximately 800 families of mainly women and children.

These assisted families are ones that have no other source of income except for social welfare assistance that they receive.

“I have been living here for 11 years, since Lovu HART in Lautoka was built. I am grateful for the assistance given to me by the HART,” said Lavinia Takayawa, an elderly resident.

The HART envisions to give hope, restore dignity and empower lives by providing housing assistance at a low price and so far, they have successfully been achieving their vision by reaching out to the needy and assisting the less fortunate in all the ways they can.

The Bible verse Proverbs 31:8-9 is one that the organisation uses as a motto, “speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the poor and the needy”.