I have just returned from a week in Fiji living in Nayavutoka Village which was all but destroyed by Cyclone Winston.
When I first came here two months ago I was overcome with emotion and my heart filled with sadness for the situation the people of the village were in. Their village was broken and they were losing hope that life could ever improve. While there were smiles on peoples faces their eyes told a much different story. With little food available signs of malnutrition were showing in the children. There appeared to be no one to help.
As I left the village that first day I held the hand of the Turaga ni koro (headman) Timoci and told him that I was going to try and get more help to them.
The feeling of sadness I felt that day is what motivated me to begin work on making a positive change for the 248 people of this village. With my limited resources I didn't know how I would achieve this but knew that I couldn't just walk away.
On my return to Nayavutoka I had a range emotion but this time due to the warm welcome and for the gratitude, thanks and blessings offered to me. There were many smiles, much laughter and we shared tears of joy and happiness.
The progress made since my last visit here is encouraging.
The debris is being collected in one area for removal and the village is a busy place everyday with people preparing to build new homes and others making temporary repairs.
The greatest improvement I saw was to the spirits of the people. While everyday is hard work, life was becoming more normal, crops were growing and the fish were returning to the waters resulting in improved and regular nutrition. Smiles had returned to their beautiful faces.
While in the village I helped demolish buildings, assisted in cleaning up debris and salvaged materials to be reused.
I helped with daily chores which begin at 4am by lighting the fire to cook breakfast and lunch for the children to take to school. With no electricity everything takes more time and the households are busy before dawn to ensure the children can walk out to the roadside to catch the 6am bus. The kids leave before dawn and arrive home after dark. Everyone in the village has a long and full day, the children and elderly included.
I took time and listened to peoples harrowing personal accounts of the cyclone, stories of survival, stories of life saving heroes and stories of death.
I was able to organize a group of guests from the Fiji Beachouse Resort to come up to the villages to help distribute 2 tonnes of food including rice, dahl,oats, tinned fish, milk powder, sugar,salt, carrots, potatoes, onions, ginger and pineapples. We also bought, some sweet, balls and toy cars for the children.
Visiting each of the five villages we are helping was a real eye opener for these guest and a day they will not forget.
Of all of the things we have been able to offer the people of the villages the most valued is the human contact and the reminder they have not been forgotten.
I look forward to returning to Nayavutoka and the other four villages A Fiver for Fiji is helping. On my return I will bring solar power units which power lights and a cell phone charger. This will help to bring some more normality to everyday life and the ability to communicate with family and the outside world a little easier. Currently there are only a handful of cell phone chargers in the villages.
Vinaka vaka levu to the people of Nayavutoka Village and to those who have given generously. We are truly grateful and please know that your kindness makes an enormous difference.
