A Home Built on Care
Golden Age Home Lautoka provides a safe and supportive home where elderly residents receive compassionate care and are treated with dignity and respect.
Established in the 1960s, the Home has grown from its beginnings as the Natabua Old People’s Home into a dedicated elderly-care facility supporting residents’ physical, emotional, spiritual and social well-being.
Our Story
The Golden Age Home (GAH) serves as a sanctuary for elderly individuals, providing holistic care, unwavering support, and dignity during their golden years.
Originally established in the 1960s as the Natabua Old People’s Home, GAH was officially registered in 1967. The facility began by repurposing the Natabua Primary School into a dedicated space for elderly care. Initially managed by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the home received annual budgetary allocations to provide shelter and care for senior citizens who were ill, impoverished, or neglected by their families. Over time, the administration transitioned fully to the Ministry of Health, with the official Board of Visitors for the Golden Age Home Lautoka appointed for two-year terms under the provisions of Sections 8, 9, and 10 of the Public Hospitals and Dispensaries Act (Chapter 10).
In the late 1990s, the facility adopted the name “Golden Age Home” to reflect a more modern and respectful identity for elderly care. A significant reform in 2015 saw the administration of GAH transferred from the Ministry of Health to the Ministry of Women, Children, and Poverty Alleviation, marking a pivotal shift in its governance.
Over the years, the demand for elderly care services has grown significantly, with the number of residents increasing from 26 to 52.
The home is managed by the Social Welfare Department and is headed by the Senior Social Welfare Officer, Ms. Luisa Bainikoro, who oversees its operations with a team of qualified and skilled staff.
To provide a haven where residents receive holistic care, support and love they deserve.
We achieve our vison by:
- Providing dignified care and support to our residents.
- Ensuring that their physical, emotional, spiritual and social needs are met.
We practice core values that govern everything we do in our interactions with residents, their families, staff, volunteers, donors, partners and the greater community.
- Compassion
We are committed to understanding the feelings, needs, and desires of those we serve and act to enhance their quality of life.
- Accountability
We are committed to honesty and integrity in achieving desired outcomes for those we serve.
- Respect
We are committed to respecting the dignity and value of each person we serve. We also believe in the provision of a respectful and supportive work and living environment.
- Excellence
We are committed to enhancing the quality of life of those we serve through everyday best practices and improvement initiatives.
- Safety
We are committed to building a culture of safety for those we serve by incorporating the right to risk in a calculated way within an informed and collaborative decision process.
Our People
The People Behind Our Home
Golden Age Home Lautoka is supported by committed staff, a dedicated Board of Visitors and Trustees, and community leaders who share a common commitment to the dignity, care and well-being of our residents.
Together, they provide operational leadership, governance and oversight to support the Home’s continued development and the delivery of compassionate care.
Board of Visitors and Trustees
Rajneesh Lata Charan
Chairwoman
Rajneesh Lata Charan serves as the Chairwoman of the Golden Age Home in Lautoka, a position she has held since 2024 after joining the board in 2010. Rajneesh is also a Trustee of the Golden Age Home Trust. With over three decades of leadership and strategic management expertise, she brings invaluable governance experience to the organization.
Professionally, Rajneesh has held senior executive roles, including General Manager Information Systems at Fiji Sugar Corporation Limited, and is currently the CEO and Principal Consultant of ESDN Pte Limited, a consultancy firm specializing in entrepreneurship strategic planning, risk management, project management and new business ventures, and business continuity. Additionally, as an external academic with the University of the South Pacific, Rajneesh contributes extensively to professional development programs covering project management, entrepreneurship, HR and business management.
Her commitment extends to numerous community initiatives and professional networks, highlighting her dedication to social welfare and community empowerment. Rajneesh holds a master’s degree in business administration and a Postgraduate Diploma in Information Systems from the University of the South Pacific.
Rajneesh’s leadership continues to drive positive change and enhance operational excellence at the Golden Age Home, ensuring compassionate and sustainable care for residents.
Selwa Nandan
Secretary
Selwa Nandan is a distinguished retired public servant and Former Advisor for Trade Management at the Oceania Customs Organization (OCO), where he gained extensive experience in international trade and customs. His master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Sunshine Coast in Australia demonstrates his commitment to lifelong learning. Beyond his professional career, Mr. Nandan dedicates his expertise to community service. He manages the Fiji Girmit Multicultural Center in Lautoka, reflecting his passion for cultural preservation and continues to work as a respected consultant in customs and trade.
As part of his passion to serve the community he is actively involved with a number of NGOs which include:
• Secretary for Board of Visitors for Natabua Golden Age Home
•Trustee for Western Association for Persons with Disabilities
•Trustee for Model Town Charitable Trust aka Koroipita
• Justice of Peace
In his personal time, Selwa finds rejuvenation through a variety of enriching activities. He is a passionate reader and writer, constantly seeking knowledge and expressing his perspectives. His passion for gardening connects him with nature, while his commitment to community-based projects demonstrates his dedication to helping the poor and marginalized members of society.
Ramendra Sharma
Treasurer
Ramendra Narayan Sharma brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to the Golden Age Home in his role as Treasurer. A respected Hindu Priest within the community, his spiritual leadership is complemented by his significant civic engagements. He also serves as a Justice of Peace, Commissioner of Oath, and a Legal Marriage Officer, demonstrating his dedication to upholding legal and community frameworks.
Beyond his religious and civic duties, Mr. Sharma has a distinguished career as a retired Local Government Officer. This experience has equipped him with invaluable insights into organizational management, financial oversight, and community development – skills that are directly applicable to his role as Treasurer at.
As Treasurer, Ramendra Narayan Sharma embodies a unique blend of spiritual guidance, legal acumen, and administrative expertise. His long-standing commitment to serving others, coupled with his meticulous approach to financial matters, makes him an invaluable asset to the Golden Age Home. His dedication ensures that the financial resources of the organization are managed with integrity and transparency, directly supporting the comfort and care of its residents.
Yvonne Ravaga
Deputy Chair
Yvonne Ravaga has served as a Board Member of Golden Age Home since 2021 and was appointed Trustee and Deputy Chair in 2023. In her leadership role, she is a passionate advocate for the welfare, dignity, and well-being of the Home’s residents, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs are met with compassion and accountability.
Beyond her work with Golden Age Home, Yvonne has dedicated many years to community and faith-based leadership. Since 2018, she has served as Board Member and Secretary of Women on the Frontline International (Fiji), supporting organisational governance and ministry coordination. She also joined the Board of Transformation International Fiji in 2017, contributing to initiatives that promote transformation and empowerment across Fiji and the Pacific.
As a part-time missionary, Yvonne has served throughout the Pacific Islands, East and Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Fiji. Her ministry focuses on equipping communities through practical teaching, empowering women, and being a voice for the vulnerable. Her leadership is defined by compassion, service, and a commitment to helping individuals and communities grow with purpose and hope.
Vinesh Chandra
Vice President & Trustee
Vinesh Chandra is an experienced business professional and community leader with extensive expertise in logistics, sales, account management, and organisational leadership. He is currently employed by Neptune Pacific and has previously held Account Manager roles with William & Gosling Ltd and Nestlé (Trading) Fiji Ltd.
A dedicated volunteer, Vinesh has been serving Golden Age Home since 2011 and currently holds the positions of Vice President and Trustee of the Golden Age Home Trust. Through his leadership, he continues to support the Home’s mission of providing quality care, dignity, and a safe environment for its elderly residents.
Vinesh is a Leadership Fiji Graduate and has contributed significantly to community development through various leadership roles. His service includes the Lautoka Special Education School Board, Lions Club International, Leo Club of Lautoka, and the Art of Living Foundation, where he currently serves as Vice President.
Recognised for his strong leadership, governance, communication, and people-management skills, Vinesh is passionate about giving back to the community and creating a positive impact through both his professional career and voluntary service.