Working in Collaboration with other NGO’s
Published: 31st Oct 2024
Over the month of October at our Suva branch we decided to commemorate the month of cancer awareness, or Pinktober as it has become more commonly known. Sessions were organized with our NGO partners. With some cancer victims amongst our welfare families, it is right to show respect and care for them, and others afflicted by this disease. The awareness program’s goal is to minimize the spread, and with the right set of knowledge passed on, preventions can be taken with early-stage diagnosis and treatment.
“Awareness into Action”
The theme emphasizes the need for support and awareness for cancer patients. ‘No one should face cancer alone’. We invited the Fiji Cancer Society and Medical Services Pacific to discuss the symptoms of cancer and the importance of wellbeing, with some of our welfare recipients. They worked hand in hand and screened 29 people. It was incredible to see that males also attended the sessions, and actively listened and participated. Their queries were addressed and explained in a detailed manner.
Our goal was to raise awareness of breast cancer and to educate our beneficiaries on the lifestyle factors that promote good health. These included tips for a long and healthy life. The key lifestyle behaviours included getting adequate sleep, eating and a healthy diet, being physically active, maintaining a healthy body weight and managing good mental health.
In addition, we invited Empower Pacific to talk about their service and 23 people gave their contacts to be in touch with the counsellors, seeking advice and counselling sessions.
Our aim is to provide our welfare beneficiaries the service where they can be open to sharing about the issues they face in life, hopefully leading to reduction in stress which is one major cause of mental illness leading to depression, drugs and suicide tendencies.
While there were obstacles in getting people to our sessions (mostly weather related), we were able, on the day, to successfully achieve our goal. We acknowledge and thank our neighbour, the Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority, for permitting us to use their car park. Our special gratitude to them for their kindness.
With the Almighty’s compassion, together with the help of the beneficiaries, committee members and volunteers the day was a success. I am indeed grateful to our volunteers who were available from 7.30am, and we were able to get the place set up before the first speaker arrived.
To conclude, the feedback from beneficiaries, our Suva branch committee and volunteers, indicated they were appreciative, and that they look forward for another event. The team who all participated in facilitating were also impressed and one person commented that she had never before experienced one to one discussion with a beneficiary and this day has given her more love and passion to work in collaboration with JP Bayly Trust.
We always face challenges in any program organised, however, these can be overcome. It is a learning experience which helps us to prepare better for the next time.
A big Vinaka Vaka Levu to all who participated in our special Pinktober day and to our fellow NGOs for your kind assistance and sharing your knowledge with our Bayly Trust beneficiaries.
By Manorma Chandra, Suva Branch Manager
During Pinktober month we commemorated the month of cancer. Our theme was “Awareness into Action”. Fiji Cancer Society by Sr Alumita Bera
Medical Screening by Medical Services Pacific – Mrs Ana Fofole National Outreach Coordinator. Mrs Vilisi Uluinaceva – Nurse Practitioners. Pap smear / Prostate Cancer/Pressure /Diabetic