Narata Village community in the Province of Nadroga experienced the devastating and unprecedented floods that spread across much of Viti Levu (the main island in Fiji) the week before Easter 2012. Much of the village was under 1.5 metres of flowing water. The resultant all covering layer of sticky, slippery, smelly mud was everywhere, so the villagers cleaned up and waited for food support. They were very happy to see Rotarians from all four Suva clubs arrive in a fleet of 4WD vehicles bearing Rotary Emergency Response Kits and food ration packs.
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| Warwick and Cate Pleass with village children. Note the use of the 'Peace" (finger) sign |
In addition, the village water supply pipe running two kms into the hills to the source was cut by landslides, and over 50 metres of pipes lost. Of course, cleaning out the stinking mud from homes and belongings is impossible without water, so they were desperate for help. On hearing of their plight, the Rotarians present arranged with a local company to sponsor the cost of the materials needed. The village provided the labour to replace those pipes. Within a couple of weeks the work was completed, which enabled the villagers to resume their normal lives, with their income mostly from growing tropical vegetables.
The Rotarian response team included from the Rotary Clubs of:
· Suva North then President Lewis Sahai, and then President Elect Griffon Emose
· Suva Assistant Governor Malini Raghwan, and then President Kalpesh Solanki,
· Suva Peninsula Sunset then District Peace Chair Elect Rita Taphorn, and Past President Joshila Lal
· Suva East PDG Warwick Pleass and Rotarian Reanu Ramani
- By PDG Warwick Pleass
