The government has inaugurated the renovated “Fiyavathi Home for Vulnerable Children” in Hulhumalé, financed under the Grant Assistance from neighboring India.
The completion of the renovation project at the children’s shelter was marked virtually on Thursday, where Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid was joined by High Commissioner of India to the Maldives Sunjay Sudhir as well as the State Ministers of Gender, Family and Social Services, Aishath Rasheed and Zifleena Hassan.
The project was funded under the Indian-Grant Assistance of MVR 106 million, and is valued at MVR 1.9 million. Granted in March 2019, the aim of the grant assistance is to conduct socio-economic development projects across the country which are of high impact. The projects under this grant are managed by Maldivian authorities.
The project saw the renovation of the children’s shelter by acquiring additional beds, constructing cupboards, painting interior and exterior walls as well as strengthening the home’s functionality which in turn offers a safer and conducive environment for the growth and development of children residing there.
Speaking at the event, FM Shahid highlighted that the renovation project is one of the many projects carried out under the Indian-Grant Assistance and expressed gratitude to the government of India for the constant support to Maldivian communities by facilitating many of such socially impactful projects across the island nation.
The traditionally close, bilateral relationship between the Maldives and India have been strengthened and deepened since November 2018. This is in no doubt, due to the close relationship between leaders of both countries, and their commitment to a strong Maldives-India partnership that delivers.”Abdulla Shahid, Minister of Foreign Affairs.
FM Shahid expressed special gratitude to the External Affairs Minister of India, Dr. S. Jaishankar for his “close and personal” commitment to the partnership Maldives and India continues to enjoy. He also reiterated appreciation to HC Sudhir and his team at the High Commission for their “exceptional” dedication to the island nation.
Society has a responsibility to protect children from harm. And as duty bearer, the State has a moral and ethical responsibility to care for children who are in a position of socioeconomic vulnerability. The renovation of Fiyavathi aims to address this responsibility, by providing the children with a safe and pleasant atmosphere, with well-established amenities.”Abdulla Shahid, Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Further, the minister congratulated the Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Services on the completion of the project and affirmed the foreign ministry’s commitment to collaborate further to support the gender ministry conduct important work prioritizing local communities.
Highlighting that the government pursued the project because it believes the psychological development of children from childhood to maturity, requires close and careful nurturing in a conducive environment that can teach children vital social skills and offer them to feel at home while enjoying play time, the foreign minister expressed hope that the children are given adequate attention and care, as one of the most vulnerable societal groups.
