Litiana Navai was a happy 86-year-old yesterday after she was handed her Homes-CARE assistance card at Koroivolu Park in Nadi.

The woman of Nakavu Village in Nadi said it was the first time she had received such assistance.

“No one ever did this before. I’m so lucky that I have been alive while witnessing this I’m very happy with the assistance,” Ms Navai said.

She said her family home had sustained extensive damage and she and her family were not able to repair because of the lack of finance.

But with the money she said: “I can now re-purchase the necessary items.”

Another recipient, Bant Devi, 58, of Tongo, Nadi said that she would use the funds to buy roofing materials and other items to repair her kitchen.

“If the winds continued for a bit longer, our entire house would have gotten blown away,” Ms Devi said.

A sense of relief was also seen on her husband’s face, Vinod Prakash, 65, who can neither speak nor hear.

Meanwhile, a big crowd gathered to receive their assistance as it was the last batch for the region.

Edited by Ranoba Baoa

Feedback: yogesh.chandra@fijisun.com.fj