Jan-July 2020 Issue 7 Newsletter 1.1

Newsletter January-­‐July 2020 Issue 7
Methodist Dilkusha Home
Queens Road Nausori FIJI
Phone ((679) 3478325 Mobile ((679) 7826 6640
Dear Friends,
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous
right hand-­‐ Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
As the Church closes its doors during Covid 19 the door to our hearts is
never closed. We praise and give thanks to God and welcome
opportunities to draw closer to our prayer life at home. We pray for all
our health care providers involved in the care of others especially in these
times. God bless you and thank you all for your ongoing support.
From Deaconess Sala and all the staff at Dilkusha home.
Dilkusha home during Covid 19 lockdown
In these extraordinary times, never before experienced in our lifetime, our
children have been at home during the lockdown.
The senior girls have really stepped up and shared the workload of the home. Each
week one of the senior girls is appointed as the senior girl for the week. This duty
entails creating a day by day program for the children for each day of the week
and ensuring the program is implemented and runs smoothly. Part of this program
involved the children learning arts and crafts including screen free hand printing
and stencil art. Well done girls and thank you for stepping up and assisting the
home during these difficult and unusual times.
We have missed seeing all our non live in staff and visitors and look forward to
welcoming you all back home when the time is right. God bless you and may you
all continue to keep well.
Our Chapel renovations completed
Dilkusha Home Mission
To provide a Christian home to children in
need of a stable home environment,
regardless of race, colour or creed, for as
long as that needs persists.
At your service
Deac. Salaseini Kacivakawalu
Superintendent
Deac. Verenaisi Tamosa
Senior Domestic Assistant
Office hours:
Monday to Thursday
8am to 4pm
Friday
8am to 3.30pm
Email: *
Office
officedilkushahome@yahoo.com
Superintendent
dilkushahome@yahoo.com
Bank details for donations: $
Bank: Westpac Branch: Nausori
Name: Methodist Dilkusha Home
Swift Code: WPACFJFX
BSB: 039 008
Account: 0862036800
If a receipt is required, please email us
officedilkushahome@yahoo.com
“Wish List Corner” þ
# Slippers for all the children
If you are planning on visiting Dilkusha home and are intending to bring something special for the
Home please consider contacting the home in advance to find out what the home is in need of.
Deac.
# Gardening supplies required for
staff working in and around the
gardens. Hand gloves, gum boots
and overalls.
Kindly contact us directly if you are in
a position to provide any of the above
and we can give you more details of
sizes etc. We are forever thankful.
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Dilkusha Methodist High School
On Friday 31 st January 2020 Deaconess Sala attended the Prefects Induction
Program and thanksgiving church service at Morrissey Church. It was such an
honour to attend this program and service to witness Merilyn Muttu our senior
girl of Dilkusha home inducted into her new role as Head Girl of Dilkusha
Methodist High School for 2020. Congratulations Merilyn. Such a worthy
recipient of this honour.
Renovations
The Covid 19 lockdown has provided some opportunities to undertake some
much needed renovations to our home. These renovations have been
undertaken by Mr. Josefa Baleinukulala (FIJI National University Lecturer)
Mr. Sakiusa Bolatagici and Mr. Kinijoji Tuivovnovono (Electrician) also
the Nasole boys, whom some of them were students from FNU and in High
School, who were on school break.
We are very grateful and appreciative of their assistance, a big thank you is
extended. These renovations undertaken include:
Extending the size of our chapel to now be able to accommodate all our
children and staff at the one time for our daily devotions.
Extending and repainting the dining hall. The larger dining hall is now a much
more pleasant environment for the children and staff to enjoy their meals.
The boy’s room has extended, repainted and brightly decorated with some
really creative artwork. The boys love it!
The old laundry area has finally been renovated and upgraded. This has been a
major renovation and involved removing all the old structures and replacing
with new laundry facilities, installing new drains and also a new concrete floor.
Great job to everyone involved.
Head Girl of Dilkusha Methodist High School 2020
Dining room upgraded
Boys room & laundry area
Laundry area, Chapel
Boys room, dining hall
If you are planning on visiting Dilkusha home and are intending to bring something special for the
Home please consider contacting the home in advance to find out what the home is in need of.
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Around the home grounds
We are pleased to advise the replacement of the perimeter fence around the
home is now completed. At the same time a new footpath has been completed
giving students of Dilkusha High and Primary School access from the road to
their schools and not having to access our grounds which is currently the case.
This new pathway also provides private access to our home for our residents,
staff and guests.
New walkway and gate almost completed
Kitchen news
The girls are enjoying their time in the kitchen learning new skills including
baking bread rolls, pies and also learning the skills of preparing a lovo. Marcella
& Millie are now working full time in kitchen under the supervision our new
chef who is doing a great job with many delicious curries and dhals.
Dalo from the farm garden
Karuna’s 80 th birthday celebration
Karuna was in charge of our nursery for many decades and a lot of our readers
would have fond memories of Karuna’s time at Dilkusha. Congratulations
Karuna.
Karuna’s celebrated her 80 th birthday at “Fire n Ice” restaurant in Laucala.
Karuna and Shalinis
enjoying 80 th celebrations.
If you are planning on visiting Dilkusha home and are intending to bring something special for the
Home please consider contacting the home in advance to find out what the home is in need of.
Page 3 of 4

Farm update
Every Saturday the children have a lot of fun spending time together tending
the farm gardens. With all the rain our soil has been replenished with beautiful
rain water and it’s added nitrogen. All the children have been learning how to
weed the gardens. The older girls have been lending a hand sharing their
knowledge of tending to the garden with the younger children, explaining to
them about companion planting and the differences between vegetable
seedlings and weeds.
All the children are enjoying their time learning gardening skills, eating their
own gardens produce and generally being outside around nature.
Cabbages
Condolences
Our hearts are filled with sorrow to inform you of the passing of Romina Dev.
“The Lord gaveth and the Lord taketh” Dilkusha home was blessed for 28 years
to have Romina live with us and show us humility, her smiling eyes, her gentle
nudge an invitation to play, her presences to silently let you know she
remembers you. Romina loved these gold shoes
Bele leaves
We thank all the volunteers, donors, Methodist Church of Fiji and abroad
and The Department of Social Welfare Fiji for all their ongoing assistance.
We are blessed to have your ongoing assistance and support.
If you are planning on visiting Dilkusha home and are intending to bring something special for the
Home please consider contacting the home in advance to find out what the home is in need of.
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