Family celebrates first home after 15-year wait

After 15 years of raising five children while living with relatives, Yabaki Radiniwailevu says receiving the keys to her family's first home marks the beginning of a new chapter.

The Radiniwailevu family was among the recipients handed the keys to a house at the Nepani Housing subdivision under the Government's housing project yesterday.

Ms Radiniwailevu said she and her husband had lived with her parents in Kinoya throughout their 15 years of marriage and were deeply grateful for the support they had received.

"We've been together for 15 years, and we've been staying with my parents. We're very grateful to them for supporting us all these years," Ms Radiniwailevu said.

Raising five children in an extended family household had been challenging because of limited space and a lack of privacy, she said.

Having a home of their own would allow the family to provide a more stable environment for their children.

"Our hope is simply to raise our five children well in our own home."

Ms Radiniwailevu also thanked the Government for making home ownership possible for young families who had struggled to secure permanent housing.

She said her family's experience showed that owning a home was possible for other young couples facing similar challenges.

"Today, we are living proof that it can be done. We are very grateful to the Government for giving us this opportunity and this house."