An Opportunity: A New Hostel?!
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Hostel accommodation is a squeeze. The main hostel is in Vivienne Harland's old home while the senior girls and senior boys are in separate homes, often rented homes. Plans were made to build another hostel but these have been awaiting the much delayed extension of city sewerage to Samabula. More recently the Ministry Trust has been focusing on hunting for a suitable local building.
An opportunity has just come up to purchase an ideal building. We have a large part of the purchase price, thanks to generous donors, but we still need about NZ$250,000 in the next three months. We would appreciate your prayer in this matter, and if you know of any trusts or larger organisations who may be able to help, feel free to pass this information on, and if you thought it was appropriate, we would be happy to follow-up with them. School starts again in 2022!The Gospel School for the Deaf reopened on 4 Jan, and is now in full face-to-face teaching mode. The children are obviously pleased to be with us, the staff are happy to have them and have returned, more or less, to normal operations. It is great to see and hear the happy buzz in school and hostels as children attend their classes, do their homework or simply have fun.
The Covid restrictions are now almost all over in Fiji. Sadly, there is now more poverty in the country. |
Main Hostel mealtime.
All dressed up for Easter Day.
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October 2021 - Fiji COVID update
Covid cases in Fiji have peaked, and the recovered cases now far outnumber the active cases. While a small number of our staff and students caught the virus, all have recovered and we can be thankful that our “GSD family” were on the whole, well protected.
Two weeks ago, the containment zones were lifted and travel around Fiji is no longer limited. The government has been making noises about the borders reopening within the next couple of months, which means tourists will once again be welcomed, and Fiji can start on the journey to recovery. With tourism will come employment and income, and after eighteen months of hard times, Fijians, whom we know are very resilient, will once again be able return to something like the life they knew before Covid.
Two weeks ago, the containment zones were lifted and travel around Fiji is no longer limited. The government has been making noises about the borders reopening within the next couple of months, which means tourists will once again be welcomed, and Fiji can start on the journey to recovery. With tourism will come employment and income, and after eighteen months of hard times, Fijians, whom we know are very resilient, will once again be able return to something like the life they knew before Covid.
Life Under COVID Lockdown
As many students as possible are being taught over Zoom.
Communication and contact are very important, many Deaf feel isolated.
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In April, all the Deaf students had to return home under lockdown regulations. Some hostel staff remain and they are keeping in touch with "their families" and they are also purchasing groceries for those who are struggling. These are then delivered to the containment border where the family can collect them. A big vinaka vakalevu to all those who have donated money for food parcels.
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