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Dilkusha
Children's Home is an orphanage for girls run by the Methodist
Church of Fiji & Rotuma, and was founded in 1904.
It is situated high on the
hill on Princes Road in Nausori,, opposite Nausori Bridge, on the
island of Viti Levu in the Fiji Islands.
The Home seeks to provide a Christian environment of love and
security in which children may grow up happily and without fear, and be
prepared to live an independent and productive adult life. Dilkusha
Children's Home accepts children of any race or religion who are in need
of their services. These include those who are the victims of abuse
within the family, children of poor families, those children abandoned
in hospital, children whose parents or grandparents are physically or
emotionally incapable of caring for them; children whose parents are
going through separation, children of
single parents who are unable to cope, children are at risk; children
needing assistance in education; and intellectually and physically
handicapped children who are abandoned by their families.
The
children a
t Dilkusha Home are provided food, clothing and a safe place
to live, and school fees are paid up to university or other tertiary
level if the child shows promise and potential. A doctor is available to
the Home at all times, and children are given medical attention any time
it is needed. A staff of 10 (full and part time) care for the children
(numbering usually between 50-55). The Home has a ´buddy` system whereby
an older girl is ´big sister` to a younger child, assisting in some of
their physical care.
The local Dilkusha Church congregation plays a pastoral role in the children's welfare, being available for counseling, spiritual instruction, friendship and youth activities. The church hosts the children for meals from time to time, and the children take part in all the church's social and worship activities. The Home accepts children of all religions, and while Christian values are taught in the Home, the children are never coerced to change their family religion.
Some of the children have been in the Home most of their lives, and cannot return to their families because the family situation that put them a risk has never been satisfactorily resolved. Some of the girls marry from the Home, and contact with them is maintained through telephone, letters and visits, to keep the ´family` connection. Dilkusha Home also accepts a small number of boys as well, although historically the focus has been on helping young girls.
Photographs of Dilkusha
Children's Home showing orphans, Fijian caregivers and supporters.
Director: Deaconess Olivia
Mailing Address:
Physical Address: Princes Road, Nausori, Viti Levu, Fiji Islands
