We are lucky to be alive today, I thought we were going to die, says Manu Village headman (Turaga-ni-Koro), Sakeo Turaga.

Manu Village of Wainibuka district in Tailevu was one of the many places hit hard when Tropical Cyclone Winston struck.

“This was the first time we had experienced such a heavy rainfall and strong winds.

“The villagers were scared and prayed for their lives,” he said.

There are 40 households and more than 200 people reside on the village.

Mr Turaga said most of the houses on the village were completely destroyed.

Recalling that monster night he said: “The villagers were in their homes and when the winds started getting stronger they had to move to evacuation centres in the village.

“A mother, who was saving her two children from flying debris, died when a piece of wood hit her badly,” he said.

The body of the woman was kept in the village and she was buried the next day.

“Our roots crops and bananas which are the main source of our income were completely destroyed.

“Our clients who buy bananas from us, they are badly affected,” he said.

Mr Turaga said it will take them nearly eight months to recover.

“We are surviving with whatever we have left with.

The village is located next to a river and the villager had to cross the river to reach the main high way.

“Our canoes were washed away by the water current and we could not get in contact with other villages.

“We are not giving up; the villages have held hands and decided to work together.

“We are going to establish our village and work hard to recover our loss,” he said.

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

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