Good Samaritans step in to help Labasa woman rebuild after house fire

Inflicted by a house fire and burdened by the financial stress of rebuilding her home, hope flickered when help arrived.

An emotional Ekari Radaga, who lost her home in an afternoon fire on December 29 in Namara, Labasa was lost for words when Good Samaritans visited her.

Ms Radaga received officials from the Macuata Muslim League Fiji (MMLF) at her completely destroyed home day.

She was thankful for the love and support shown through their donation.

Overwhelmed by the assistance, she said her dream of rebuilding her home felt closer with every gesture of support.

The officials handed over a $500 cheque to the devastated family to encourage them and reassure them that they were not alone in rebuilding their home and lives.

The fire razed the four‑bedroom house, with damage to the structure and belongings estimated by Ms Radaga at $150,000.

Ms Radaga’s extended family of eight managed to escape with only the clothes they were wearing, losing everything else in the blaze.

The soft‑spoken homeowner, who sells fish parcels at the Labasa food vendors’ stall, said every dollar and every form of assistance mattered, as each contribution went towards rebuilding her house from scratch.

She plans to begin construction soon and is hopeful that more support will come from non‑government organisations, religious groups, and the wider public.

The initial amount required to start construction is $30,000, of which $7,000 has been raised so far.

MMLF president Sheik Mohammed Yasin said Fiji was a multiracial country, and assisting people of all races was part of their faith and responsibility as an organisation.

“We know it is a hard time for her to lose her savings and house to a fire, so we decided to lend a helping hand and help carry the burden together,” he said.

Mr Yasin added that neighbours should live peacefully with one another and promote peace‑building initiatives, which the organisation demonstrated through their visit.

The 49‑year‑old described the house as her family’s safe haven and said they were currently staying temporarily at her younger sister’s residence in Vatunibale.

Ms Radaga said receiving assistance from non‑iTaukei people taught her an important life lesson.

She condemned hate and discrimination against non‑iTaukei communities and minorities in Fiji, stating that when shared.

For those willing to assist, she can be contacted on 9805595.

The National Fire Authority (NFA) is continuing investigations to determine the cause of the fire.