Ratu Hopes To Build Better Home for His Family
We have plans for that but with the limited income I couldn’t afford that now because I am focusing on my children’s education
Saturday 28 December 2024 | 14:02
Ratu Baleidreima at his home at Nawaijikuma Settlement in Nawaka, Nadi. Photo: Mereleki Nai
Ratu Baleidreima, 53, of Nadi plans to build a better home that will not be affected by future floods.
Mr Baleidreima, his wife and five children were evacuated from their home on Friday after floodwaters entered their home on Friday.
They are among evacuees sheltering at the Andrews Primary School in Nadi.
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In 2019, the Nadi security guard bought a piece of land at Nawaijikuma Settlement in Nawaka, a flood-prone area, and built a makeshift home for his family.
The Nasaumatua, Lovoni, Ovalau man said every time there was a flood, they would be evacuated to an evacuation centre.
“My only wish is to build a high post-setting house for my family. We have plans for that but with the limited income I couldn’t afford that now because I am focusing on my children’s education.”
His eldest child is at the Nadi Special School, the second eldest will start high school next year and three others at primary school.
Mr Baleidreima said they were the first evacuees.
“On Christmas Day we were about to have our lunch when the water flowed into our home. I alerted Police, we packed our food, packed some cooking utensils and our clothes, then we were transported to the evacuation.
“Now, we will wait for the water level to go down and I will go first and clean up our home.”
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