Makogai Primary School, symbol of hope for Nasau people on Makogai Island, has two new buildings.

They replace the old buildings which were severely damaged during Tropical Cyclone Winston in February.

They stand close to the old buildings which remind people of Winston’s fury.

They were opened on Wednesday after they were built by Sea Mercy Fiji, a charitable organisation.

Makogai Primary School, which has a roll of 22 students, now has four new classrooms with desks, books and equipment.

Permanent Secretary for Fisheries and Forests, Samuela Lagataki, said the new school was a celebration which symbolised unity and teamwork between voluntary organisations and Government. He said when he opened the buildings: “I would like to acknowledge the Sea Mercy Fiji and the other volunteers who have contributed enormously to and voluntarily work dedicatedly to the rebuilding of Makogai after Tropical Cyclone Winston,” he said.

“The opening of this new school building will allow Makogai to continue to provide its role of educating the children of the community of Makogai Island for many generations to come.

“The new school building will be a place for students to build their capacity and aspirations with the support of our teachers.”

Sea Mercy Fiji president Nigel Skeggs said the construction of the school had taken three months with the assistance of a group of 130 Sea Mercy volunteers.

He said it was a global effort as the volunteers came on 35 different yachts from over 20 countries to assist in the rebuilding of the school.

“We were able to raise $100,000 during a Tyre Power Australia and Tyre Power New Zealand conference in Denarau. We needed the funds for the materials to see the rebuilding of the school to fruition,” he said.

“We had to get engineers here but we had a delay in getting building materials but also to get the engineers here. It’s amazing that this is the first school built by the team and it was an incredible achievement.

“Makogai Primary School was not listed under the Adopt a School programme and we could not get an engineering report so we brought the engineers here, worked with them on the design and getting it certified and signed by Government as we had to build according to cyclone standards.”

School head teacher Sakaraia Baleibuca thanked Sea Mercy Fiji for their assistance which would now enable them to normalise with their daily education.

Makogai Primary School was established in 1956, especially for the education of children whose parents worked on the old Colonial Leprosy Hospital on the island.

Edited by Maraia Vula

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