Vinaka Kemuni na Noda mai Navakawau, Vuna, Taveuni ena Nomudou Gugumatua.

Villagers unite to complete their hall

Theresa RalogaivauWednesday, August 11, 2010

Agricultural officials visiting a dalo farm at Navakawau Village in Taveuni

THE cessation of funding for projects like community halls and churches in villages has forced a village in Taveuni to be creative in raising funds.

A community hall at Navakawau Village in Vuna district was partly completed when a government decision put an end to the project.

District rep Laisiasa Tuimouta said villagers continued to pester the State for assistance to complete the hall.

"But none was forthcoming and then they started thinking about what they could do," he said.

"We have a lot of land that is yet to be utilised for farming purposes so we have this arrangement with the Agriculture Department. They've given us $10,000 worth of fertiliser and weedicides and each of the 100 men that are part of the scheme have to plant 2000 dalo each.

"From that 2000 dalo, income from 300 dalo plants is directed towards the completion of the community hall.

"We find that the sale of that 300 dalo will fetch us roughly $3000 that should build a good hall."
Mr Tuimouta said the decision to stop funding these projects was good because it forced villagers to raise their own funds. "It has weakened the handout mentality and allowed us to look after our own needs instead of relying on the government for everything," he said.
The Navakawau Village project will be completed next year.