US Navy Senior Petty Officer, Andrew Buckingham, was overwhelmed with the hospitality and kindness he was shown by the people of Navolau Village in Ra during his stay there last year.

Mr Buckingham was part of a team of US Navy engineers who rebuilt the Navolau District School after Tropical Cyclone Winston hit the country last February.

He was in Lautoka yesterday, his second visit to Fiji, to present equipment and materials given by the United States government through their Embassy in Suva.

Mr Buckingham, 32, a single parent, hails from New York City.

He said his four children back home wanted to visit Fiji after hearing stories from him.

“It’s been very nice coming down to Fiji and doing some work here. The people are very helpful and very kind and this was a little overwhelming for us,” he said of his last visit to Navolau Village.

“I was here from October to November last year and this is my second trip here.

“We are not used to this kindness and they really took us in as part of their families.

“We stayed in Navolau Village and enjoyed the food and had a little kava.”

Edited by Naisa Koroi

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