9 Mar 2016

Fiji charity providing free hot meals to school children

3:26 pm on 9 March 2016

A charity organisation in Fiji has been supplying over 5,000 emergency school stationery kits and free hot meals in the wake of Cyclone Winston.

The Sangam Fiji group, which runs over 25 schools and a nursing college, said it's not just making meals for its own schools, but working with local villages and their schools as well.

Lavena Primary School in Taveuni Island, Fiji

Lavena Primary School in Taveuni Island, Fiji Photo: Alex Perrottet/RNZ

The Secretary General, Damend Goundar, said between its branches all over Fiji and overseas affiliates, over $142,000 US dollars has been raised so far.

He said many volunteers have come forward to help cook meals.

"They're basically cooking food at site, and providing hot meals to the children. Currently we are supplying you know lentils, rice, and potatoes and all that stuff because there's a scarcity of vegetables, fresh vegetables."

Damend Goundar said most of the evacuee families have moved on from the Penang Sangam High School in Rakiraki to other locations so that classes can recommence.