August 2026 -

Soqosoqo Vakamarama ni Vanua Naivirourou Gets a New Set of Tables Courtesy of Public Works Department

Public Works Department workman examining the gradient of the table.

A lady worker from PWD fixing up the varnishing on one of the tables.

Senior PWD worker examines the table frame for any defects. A villager walks behind him.

PWD workers drill and fasten the table parts together.

Further fastening works on one of the tables.

Vuci Village Women’s Group Receives New Tables from Public Works Department

The Soqosoqo Vakamarama ni Vanua Naivirourou, the women’s group of Vuci Village, has received a significant boost with the delivery of new tables constructed by the Public Works Department (PWD). The handover marks an important step in supporting the group’s activities and community development initiatives.

The new tables will serve the women’s group in their various community programs, including fundraising activities, cultural events, and meetings that bring together the women of Vuci. The Soqosoqo Vakamarama plays a vital role in village life, contributing to the social and economic wellbeing of the community.

Supporting Rural Communities

The delivery of these tables aligns with the Fiji Government’s commitment to strengthening rural infrastructure and supporting community organisations. The Public Works Department has been undergoing a revival under the Coalition Government, with a focus on managing and maintaining rural infrastructure across the country .

Under current government plans, PWD is being resourced to take over rural roads and community infrastructure, with the Fiji Roads Authority focusing on national roads . This includes significant investment in community facilities such as village halls, which are essential gathering places for groups like the Soqosoqo Vakamarama .

Women’s Groups Driving Community Development

Women’s organisations across Fiji, including the Soqosoqo Vakamarama groups, are recognised for their significant contributions to community development. Recent parliamentary discussions highlighted the establishment of the Resource Owners Development Fund, which supports compensation, energy connections, roadworks, and community infrastructure including village halls .

The Vuci Soqosoqo Vakamarama’s new tables will enable the group to better conduct training sessions, handicraft workshops, and community meetings. Women’s groups across Fiji are actively involved in weaving, handicraft businesses, and income-generating activities that support their families and villages .

Commitment to Rural Development

The Fiji Government has allocated substantial funding for rural development, with the Ministry of Public Works receiving $800 million—an increase of $83 million from the previous budget . This includes $30 million for new sealing and upgrading of community and rural roads, with specific allocations for Vuci and surrounding areas in Nausori .

The new tables represent practical support for the women of Vuci as they continue their important work strengthening the vanua and building community resilience.

Let’s hear from the Women’s Wing president.

Strategic Core Area 3: Economic Empowerment

Vuci Village Builds a New Village Shed, With Plans for New Equipment

One of the village maidens fixes the utensils for lunch.

One of the village mothers serve out the large bowls of curry dhal and corned beef with noodles.

Seated nicely at the lunch spread. Rice, curry corned beef and dhal with cassava and dalo prepared in front of them.

Relaxing before the meal after a hard day at work.

Adjusting the roof to align properly while riveted.

Taking a break indoors after work is done.

Posts now extending outwards, with two villagers relaxing in the foreground.

Taking a break under the half-finished shed roof.

Building the New Shed

To ensure the new and existing tools of the village are safe, Vuci village builds a new shed, with plenty of space for expansion and new tools.

This work was done on the first week of July. A good amount of the work was done by the men of the village who have retired from working life, whilst most if not all of the materials were financed by villagers working and living elsewhere and overseas.

Lunch After a Hard Day’s Work

In addition to the work, the village women cooked as Vuci village builds a new village shed. For a just reward, lunch was served which was rice and curry dhal, corned beef and noodles, with some chilies and lemon for additional flavor.

What Next?

Moreover, upon finishing of the new shed, it may have multiple uses. Besides the storage of used timber and tools, farming implements may also be stored inside for the usage of villagers to farm more efficiently.

Furthermore, construction equipment and plant may be stored; ensuring quicker construction time for future projects.

Adding on to these existing uses, it has also been used and will be used as hosting space. This may reduce temporary shed hire.

Therefore, Vuci village builds a new village shed, and with it, a position for further growth.

For more on village activities, read here.

Click on the link to find out more about Strategic Core 5.

Take a look at how Vuci students take ownership of their education.

Visit the Ministry of Rural Development.

Vuci Students Take Ownership of Education through Additional Preparation Classes Every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday Night

Upper Primary School students preparing for Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (LANA) and Fiji Eight Year Examinations or FEYE.

Upper primary students attempt to perfect their skills in the harsh cold.

Secondary school students keep warm while preparing for midterms.

Secondary School Kids busy at work during their early evening session.

Vuci Students Take Ownership of Education

The youth of Naivirourou have now taken it upon themselves to ensure their education is not left to chance. Vuci students take ownership of their education through additional preparatory classes every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday night.

Overview of Classes

From mid-July of this year they have been organising study nights every Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at Raturagalevu Hall & Evacuation Centre. These preparations are toward the mid-term assessments (for secondary school students). The year six students are preparing for the Literacy and Numeracy Assessment – LANA in the immediate future.

The plan is to scale to medium-term planning for this year’s final assessments, including internal examinations for Year 9 and 11; while for Years 8 to 12, they prepare for external examinations.. In the long term, Vuci students take ownership of their education through clear improvement in not only marks, but eventual progression to higher education and employment.

Who Supervises and at What Time?

Viliame and Mrs. Kauregu both supervise and convene these thrice-weekly classes. Years 6-8 only stay for one hour between 7:00PM-8:00PM and all secondary grades (Years 7-13) start their class at 7:00PM and finishing an extra hour of work to close at 9:00PM.

The classes are not only a general study session, but are targeted towards the key weaknesses and struggles that may catch these young pupils. More specifically, the new facilities at the hall provide the space and resources to strengthen understanding.

What to Wear?

The students are exhorted and do abide to the village dress code for such classes. For boys, sulu and bula or dress shirts and dresses and ankle-length dresses for girls. Both may wear warm and comfortable winter clothing provided their heads are uncovered as is iTaukei custom.

For more on our Vuci youth, click here.

For more on our women, click here.