The project to renovate the state care facility ‘Fiyavathi’ in Hulhumale’ has been officially inaugurated.
The project was inaugurated through a virtual ceremony organised by the Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Services on March 24. This project was funded with a grant of USD 123,000, under the Indian grant assistance of USD 6.9 million extended to conduct high-impact socio-economic development projects across the country. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid, High Commissioner of India to the Maldives Sunjay Sudhir and other senior officials from the Foreign Ministry, Gender Ministry, the Indian High Commission and Fiyavathi.
Renovation of Fiyavathi, that houses over 110 children under state care, is conducted as part of efforts to create a conducive home environment for the children to grow and develop. In a statement released following the inauguration of the project, the Indian High Commission stated India is privileged to be associated with a project at Fiyavathi shelter whose goal is to provide a safe, secure and enabling environment for vulnerable children who have been subjected to various forms of neglect and abuse and have no other means of primary care. The Indian High Commission stated this project is a step forward in the right direction to ensure that the commitment of the Government of Maldives in the arena of child rights is firm.
Elements of the project include creating a more welcoming area, upgrading the security system, building a veranda to create a play area for toddlers, painting the walls with brighter more child friendly colours, setting up common rooms furnished with computers and play stations, placing additional benches in the garden area, and planting trees in the garden, procuring furniture items and strengthening the overall functionality of building to enhance day-to day running. It is one of the 30 Indian grant projects being undertaken in the Maldives intended to create valuable assets for local communities that contribute positively to improve their quality of life.