Naina and Ahava Project Fiji

Naina Senito is an indigenous Fijian woman  from Tailevu Province. As a child, Naina was always interested in pursuing a  career that serves people in the community. Her family was very traditional. Both of her parents valued cultural ceremonies and connections. Indigenous Fijian culture has always been important for Naina.

Growing up, baking and cooking were two of her favorite hobbies. She loved creating new recipes and testing them for friends and family. A few years ago, Naina set up her own business at home called–Goodies with Love. Naina makes and sells coconut tea, donuts and other treats and even prints material for her customers in Nadi. While working on her business, Naina participated in the US Embassy’s program for women entrepreneurs in Fiji and found many other workshops and conferences to join and learn from. When Goodies with Love started to become a popular SME, Naina decided it was time to pursue her dream of helping other people full-time.

Naina has always been an outspoken advocate for the rights of homeless men, women and children. In 2020, at the height of the Covid-19 Pandemic, Naina started to realize the increase in homeless people. She started working on a small project to deliver clothes, school supplies and provide mentorship for homeless people. With a group of determined friends, Naina founded the Ahava Project to serve homeless people. 

In 2020 and 2021, Fiji’s economy was at the lowest point it had been in decades. With the loss of the tourist industry, thousands of people lost their livelihoods and, in some cases, their homes. Naina started her work with small events that included free haircuts, Bible study, breakfast or lunch, and care packages. Over time, Naina has been able to build up the Ahava Project’s identity and mission in Fiji. She now travels to Suva and Nadi to deliver services and mentorship programs for homeless people. 

Recently, Naina has begun collecting data about homeless people so she can design and implement bigger projects to support their mental health issues and education. Through her work, Naina says she has witnessed the immense love and kindness that homeless youths have for each other. On one occasion, Naina said a group of six young boys shared one can of coke and a small packet of biscuits amongst themselves. This inspired her to work with other nonprofits to offer more support.

“The pay rates are too low to support a family with the rising costs in Fiji,” Naina says. “Young families cannot meet the needs of their children. Even essential items are out of reach for these homeless youths.” As a young mother herself, Naina empathizes with the young families who are living on the streets. She regularly fundraises and delivers baby clothes to these young parents. 

Ahava Project is currently working on how they can successfully send homeless children back to school. Naina says it is difficult to put homeless youths into normal schools. “One thing we have to realize is the school system has a stigma regarding homeless children. Most people will consider these homeless youths as bad people.” The children spend a few days at normal high schools and then run away again. 

Naina constantly finds opportunities at workshops, conferences, and nonprofits to involve the homeless youths and inspire them to pursue an education. In April, with the help of PICISOC mentors, the Ahava Project joined the first ever regional Pacific Hackathon with 25 youths from the streets. These young men and women were able to learn about startups, nonprofits, government policies, and tech projects. A few of the young men told Naina the experience has  inspired them to pursue further studies and finish highschool. 

Naina’s latest project is teaching homeless youths how to register to vote in the coming elections. Naina and her team at the Ahava Project take meals to homeless people and explain the election process and how they can sign up. They also try to discuss important policies related to job creation and homelessness. Through this campaign, Naina hopes to inspire these youths to be more proactive and believe that they can make their own decisions and better their circumstances. Naine and the Ahava Project want to empower these youths to have hope for their futures.

By Talei CauCau.

Ahava Project is currently working on how they can successfully send homeless children back to school. Naina says it is difficult to put homeless youths into normal schools. “One thing we have to realize is the school system has a stigma regarding homeless children. Most people will consider these homeless youths as bad people.” The children spend a few days at normal high schools and then run away again. 
“One thing we have to realize is the school system has a stigma regarding homeless children. Most people will consider these homeless youths as bad people.”

Naina Senito is an indigenous Fijian woman from Tailevu Province. As a child, Naina was always interested in pursuing a career in that serves people in the community. Her family is very traditional. Both of her parents valued cultural ceremonies and connections.

Ahava Project Fiji will launch a new human library project soon, where a street dweller will be able to choose someone from a group of people to talk to.

Credit fijivillage