Farmer Pleads for Help to Rebuild Home
“I have been a community man all my life, and now it’s the community’s turn to help."
Friday 21 March 2025 | 10:34
Nina Taiviu, 46, folding and drying some of the remaining clothes following the whirlwind at Sarava, Labasa on March 19, 2025. Photo: Sampras Anand.
Sarava resident in Labasa, Setariki Matanidaku, whose house was destroyed by a strong whirlwind on Monday afternoon, is appealing for help in cash or kind to rebuild his home.
Mr Matanidaku’s house was the only one damaged in Sarava that day, during a one-off natural disaster that struck at 4pm.
The strong whirlwind detached the roofing iron, brought down the side walls, and blew away most of the household items and clothes.
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Mr Matanidaku, 45, is now requesting the community of Sarava to assist with the construction phase.
“I have been a community man all my life, and now it’s the community’s turn to help,” Mr Matanidaku said.
The family is currently taking temporary shelter at a relative’s house, located just a few hundred metres from the community.
He is also pleading for donations of building materials to help rebuild their three-bedroom house.
“We lost everything in the wind; the only clothes left were those we had on that day. Our relatives are helping us with clothes, and I am hopeful others will pitch in to help us,” he said.
“I am a simple cane farmer, struggling, and I am pleading for help and assistance.”
He disclosed that the cost of repairs would be around $50,000.
“I have been able to retrieve some roofing iron, but many of them are bent and damaged and cannot be used.”
“My wife and I are lucky to be alive, and now we have to work hard to rebuild our home from scratch,” he added.
Feedback: sampras.anand@fijisun.com.fj
