Princess raises money to help Tonga's elderly [1]
Wednesday, June 8, 2016 - 20:55. Updated on Wednesday, June 8, 2016 - 21:08.
A special ceremony was held for elderly people aged 85 years and over this morning when they each received $100 pa’anga gift from Princess Latufuipeka Tuku’aho to commemorate the Queen Mother’s 90th birthday.
Thirty elderly people attended the event at the National Retirement Benefits Fund (NRBF) and Social Welfare office, which manages the Government’s Social Welfare Scheme for the Elderly in which they are registered members.
The money raised by the Princess through her Royal Ta’ovala Fashion Shows will reach out to a total of 486 elderlies aged 85 years and over, throughout Tonga.
Caretakers of those who could not attend this morning can collect their $100 from the NRBF offices in Tongatapu and the outer islands, at any time.
The Princess as Patron of Social Welfare for the Elderly, said that although the gifts will be made in parts and is small but she will continuously work towards raising the funds and will visit them often.
NRBF CEO Dr Leimoni Taufu’i said the occasion was special, with the eldest who attended 99-years-old.
He said although only 30 were able to fit in the room today a total of 486 all over Tonga will receive this gift.
ThePrincess has generously gifted the same amount to the elderly to commemorate the King’s Coronation last year, and is continuously raising funds to support the elderly, he said.
The Social Benefits Scheme for the Elderly was first awarded by NRBF in September 2012, with Cabinet approval. Eligible are people aged 70 years and over, who now receives a monthly allowance of $65 pa’anga every month.
The CEO said initially they had used the method of depositing the money directly to their member's bank accounts, because each had national IDs, but they ceased that facility, after the elderlies decided to change it and wanted to collect it themselves. At present, they can either come and personally collect their allowance at the office or their caretakers can come on their behalf and if they cannot come, our workers can visit their homes and give it to them, he said.
As of 31 May this year, the elderly scheme registered a total of 3946 people in Tonga.
Tonga Cable Ltd. today also donated to the scheme $5,000 in support of the Princess's initiative.