For the first time, Unisocial brings humanitarian aid to Suva, in Fiji

3 days ago
3 min read

For the first time, last Sunday (23rd), volunteers from Unisocial — one of the Evangelization (EVG) branches of the Universal Church — carried out a social action in Suva, the capital of Fiji, in the Pacific Ocean. In total, over 600 people benefited from the action.

Located on the southeast coast of the island of Viti Levu, Suva is the capital and largest city in the country. Besides concentrating important political, economic, and port activities for the country, the city also stands out as one of the most important urban centers in the South Pacific.

Challenges faced by the population

Although Fiji is globally known for its lush landscapes and paradisiacal beaches, the country still faces significant socioeconomic challenges. Official data from the Fiji Bureau of Statistics indicates that about 29.9% of the population lived below the national poverty line in 2019–2020, with even higher rates in rural areas.

In addition to financial difficulties and unequal access to basic services, many communities suffer from the frequent impacts of tropical cyclones, floods, and climate change—factors that directly impact housing, agriculture, water supply, and the population's quality of life.

How the action happened

The action lasted about three and a half hours.
To ensure hundreds of people benefited, 45 Unisocial volunteers worked throughout the entire program.
On the occasion, hundreds of basic food baskets were delivered to families in situations of social vulnerability.
Over 800 pieces of clothing were also distributed.
Furthermore, a medical team was present offering free consultations, providing care and basic health services to the participants.
The schedule also featured a haircut space.
Additionally, children also benefited from a special space prepared exclusively for moments of leisure and fun, making the action even more welcoming for the whole community.

Food for the soul

More important than physical food, the residents of Suva City received a message of faith based on the Word of God and participated in moments of prayer.

"But God chose the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God chose the weak things of the world to confound the mighty" — 1 Corinthians 1:27

The message was based on the verse above and led the residents to understand that God chooses the humble, the poor, and the despised—those whom no one wants—to transform them and make them witnesses of His presence in this world.

Furthermore, the pastor reinforced that no one was born to live in suffering and highlighted that, by growing in faith, people can achieve healing and deliverance from their afflictions.

Bishop highlights the purpose of the action

Bishop Flávio Correia, responsible for the evangelistic work of the Universal Church in Fiji, emphasized the importance of the action.

"We reinforce the central purpose of Unisocial, which is not limited only to meeting physical needs, but also seeks to reach the needs of the soul, welcoming people who arrived at the site facing not only material shortages but also emotional pain, family problems, and difficult personal situations, often silent and unnoticed by anyone."
"There were also moments of care, prayer, and spiritual support, bringing comfort, hope, and renewal to those who needed deeper care. Thus, the action highlighted the balance between food for the body and comfort for the weary soul."

Volunteer reports experience during the action

One of the Unisocial volunteers, Aliti Bulubuluwale, shared the joy of the moment:

"Participating in the Unisocial event was a true blessing for me. During the event, I realized that it was a support action for families in extreme need. However, what made this initiative even more meaningful was the fact that our purpose was simply to give and serve the community without discrimination, and this spirit of generosity made the event especially impactful for me."
"Throughout the action, we met many families in the Suva City region who needed help, and I am deeply grateful to God for allowing us to extend a hand to them. Everything we could offer, such as clothes, basic food, and, above all, the Word of Faith, had a significant impact on the families we helped."
"Seeing the smiles on their faces, and even witnessing some getting emotional, reminded me that even small acts of kindness can make a big difference in the lives of people who may be facing difficulties invisible to others."

Finally, she added:

"Overall, it was a truly rewarding experience, as we were able to give back to the community with what we had. I look forward with great expectation to the next Unisocial events, where we will continue helping needy families in Fiji, fulfilling our mission to go, give, and save lives."

Be a sponsor

By the way, you can also help this work by making a donation. Following that, Universal will allocate your contribution to social works carried out across the country.