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IntroductionOne in four families lived below the poverty line in 1991 
Fiji has commonly been viewed as a society with deep inequalities, but little absolute poverty. But many people now believe that poverty—in the form of destitution, homelessness, and hunger—exists in Fiji. It has been estimated that in 1991 approximately one in four families had incomes below the national poverty line. Hunger not only exists in Fiji but has been increasing in its extent and severity. The unstable political situation, coupled with a young population, increasing migration to the urban centers and overseas, and weak international markets for sugar and kava, poses serious challenges to improving basic services, job opportunities, and the standard of living. Despite improvements in literacy, infant mortality, immunization, and life expectancy, there has been a decline in Fiji’s human development index ranking relative to other nations. The 2002 Human Development Report ranked Fiji 70th. With a 1999 Human Poverty Index of 8.5, the Fiji Islands was ranked 4 th best in terms of poverty among 12 Pacific developing countries. The presence of poverty in Fiji has generated considerable debate over the past twenty years, leading the government to analyze the extent and nature of poverty in order to strengthen poverty alleviation policies and programs and target the most disadvantaged people. Discussions were held with people in 20 communities
In 2003, the Ministry of Finance and National Planning and Ministry of Women, Social Welfare and Poverty Alleviation led a “Participatory Assessment on Hardship” to find out the needs, perceptions, and aspirations of the people living throughout the country. Twenty communities, representing both urban and rural areas and those with differing levels of income and access to services, were surveyed. Five communities were selected from the Northern, four from the Western, three from the Eastern, and eight from the Central Division, including the main urban area of Suva. Individual interviews, group discussions, case studies, and workshops were used to survey the poor and disadvantaged, key community leaders, and government and nongovernment organization representatives. The findings of the assessment give a clearer picture of how people view poverty and hardship and what they believe can be done to address their needs. The findings are consistent with the government’s commitment to equitable growth, as highlighted in its Strategic Development Plan (2003-2005) and its international commitments, particularly the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals. The assessment was funded by the Asian Development Bank.
Single Mother, 32 Years Old
I began my education at St. Mary’s Primary School in Labasa in 1977 at Class 1 and left at Form 4 in 1987. I returned to the village to look after my grandparents for 12 years until their death. I stayed on my own until I had my first child in 1991. I reared my child alone for 5 years before I had my second child in 1994. I sent both my children to school here on Kia Island whilst raising them alone. I had no proper source of income, but I managed to see my daughter through primary school by fishing, gathering seashells, and selling them in Labasa market. There is no male in my household. I therefore am finding it very hard to meet all the obligations demanded of me by the village, churches, and the school. I am receiving F$65 per month from the Department of Social Welfare but I hardly get by with this amount. For other income I go diving for fish three times a fortnight. I sell my fish at the Labasa market and pay F$10 per trip from Kia Island where I live. I have to prepare about F$150 every two weeks to see to my family’s needs and survival. I work hard keeping my house clean and raising my children properly and hope to do better in the years to come. My main concern is that my children get a better education and hopefully they will be able to find employment and have a better lifestyle for themselves.
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