Category: Blog

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.
Public Works Department workman examining the gradient of the table.
Legs being attached to the table.
Legs being attached to the table.
A lady worker from PWD fixing up the varnishing on one of the tables.
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.
Senior PWD worker examines the table frame for any defects. A villager walks behind him.
A table leg is being adjusted.
A table leg is being adjusted.
PWD workers drill and fasten the table parts together.
PWD workers drill and fasten the table parts together.
Further fastening works on one of the tables.
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

More on Raturagalevu Hall

Take a look at the Ministry of Public Works Website

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

Lunch is served
Lunch is served
One of the village maidens fixes the utensils for lunch.
One of the village maidens fixes the utensils for lunch.
Happy workers are fed workers.
Happy workers are fed workers.
One of the village mothers serve out the large bowls of curry dhal and corned beef with noodles.
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.
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.
Relaxing before the meal after a hard day at work.
More lounging on the job.
More lounging on the job.
Adjusting the roof to align properly while riveted.
Adjusting the roof to align properly while riveted.
Taking a break indoors after work is done.
Taking a break indoors after work is done.
Continuing work on the shed extension.
Continuing work on the shed extension.
Inspecting the new structure.
Inspecting the new structure.
The shed now ready for use.
The shed now ready for use.
The full shed complete.
The full shed complete.
Posts now extending outwards, with two villagers relaxing in the foreground.
Posts now extending outwards, with two villagers relaxing in the foreground.
Taking a break under the half-finished shed roof.
Taking a break under the half-finished shed roof.
Posts erected for the new shed.
Posts erected for the new shed.

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 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.
Upper primary students attempt to perfect their skills in the harsh cold.
Secondary school students keep warm while preparing for midterms.
Secondary school students keep warm while preparing for midterms.
Secondary School Kids busy at work during their early evening session.
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. 

Read more on SCA 5. 

Go to the Ministry of Education page.

Take a look at the Ministry of Rural Development.

A Spiritual Lens: Vuci Senior Pastor, Reverend Kaliova Naisorotabua

A Spiritual Lens: Vuci Methodist Church Senior Pastor, Reverend Kaliova Naisorotabua describes how the Vanua o Naivirourou grows spiritually through fasting and prayer. More imperative is how Vuci village and its youth remain steadfast in faith as the world changes around them.

Activities facilitated by the Methodist Church include Methodist Youth Fellowship every Sunday afternoon at 4:00pm, choir practices every Thursday evening from 6:00PM, Men’s Fellowship on Mondays, Women’s Fellowship and outreach in addition to the Sunday School and Divine Services held at 11:00am weekly.

The preacher expounds further on how his main focus is to ensure that the youth are not only spiritually guided, but morally guided to be upright men. In essence, padre tells us that the Vanua o Naivirourou is very much dependent on well-rounded youth in a time where youth grow increasingly disaffected in Fiji.

WATCH: Prime Minister opens Raturagalevu Hall and Evacuation Centre.

MORE FROM: Leader of the Soqosoqo Vakamarama ni Vanua o Naivirourou 

READ MORE: Strategic Core Area 1: Vanua & Traditional Leadership 

ANOTHER APPROACH TO LEADERSHIP: Vuci Youth Rep Speaks on New Recreational Hall and Evacuation Centre  

More information on the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma.

women's prayer breakfast vuci 2025 03
Women of Vuci engaged in prayer to raise funds and spiritual morale for the village.
Vuci villagers gather in preparation of the rara. The church is in the background.

Liuliu ni Yavusa Naturuturukula: His View on Natural Disasters

Ratu Peni Kamarusi, leader of Yavusa Naturuturukula, shares his thoughts on the various natural disasters that Vuci village is prone to experience, such as flash floods, landslides and torrential rains; plus the aftereffects on the villagers, such as displacement, loss of homes and belongings and damaged food crops. He also weighs in on the importance of a new Evacuation Centre, citing the safety the villagers would have as a result of its construction.

Vuci Youth Rep Speaks on New Recreational Hall and Evacuation Centre

Ratu Niko Kalounivalu, Youth Rep for the village, expresses his thoughts on the construction of the new community recreational hall and evacuation centre. 

He is particularly happy that soon, Vuci will have a safe place for village events as well as a refuge for flood-prone residents during rough and inclement weather. 

WATCH THIS VIDEO on the opening of the new hall and recreational centre.

Read more on the brief overview.

NI SA BULA VINAKA Na Lawa ni Koro o Vuci sa Vakatabui kina na e loma ni Koro na:

1.  E vakatabui me dua e vakatara, vakavuna se vakadonuya na Vakasausa ena Koro ena gauna ni mateni se bula vinaka. Oqo e wili kina na

  • Kaikaila, Vosavosa Ca, Vakosakosa ena vakatagi retio se sipika lelevu, yaya ni vakatagi ka vakasausataka na nodra vakacegu kei na vakanomodi na lewe ni Koro vakavo ke sa vakadonuya na Turaga ni Koro ka me yalani me yacova ga na 11.00pm ena bogi.

2.  E vakatabui me ra curuma mai vakaveitalia na Koro na Vulagi ka dodonu me vakaraitaki vei Turaga ni Koro kevaka edua na vulagi e vinakati me curu mai kina Koro.

3.  E vakatabui na vakaisala e loma ni Koro. E vakatarai ga ena gauna ni cakacaka Vakoro vei ira sa warai na drau ni Uludra.

4.  E vakatabui na tea, kania se volitaka na waigaga ni veivakamatenitaki e na Koro.

5.  E vakatabui na vakaisulu vakataoni ena Koro vei ira na Marama. E vinakati nai sulusulu e rokova, doka ka maroroya na noda tiko vakavanua se vakaveiwekani.

6.  E vakatabui na kena maroroi e dua sa vakacalai vakalawa ena Koro.

7.  E vakatabui na vakavu ca kei na veivakasaurarataki ena Koro.

8.  E vakatabui me ra qito tiko na Gone ena 6.00pm mai na Moniti kina Sigatabu.

9.  Kevaka e dua e beitaki ena veicala lelevu me vaka na kucu, butako kei na tea, kania se volitaka na waigaga ni veivakamatenitaki e dodonu me vakaraitaki vei Turaga ni Koro ka me ripotetaki vei iratou na Ovisa.

10.  E vakatabui na benu vakaveitalia ena Koro. Sa kerei vei keda kece sara na Lewe ni Koro me da yadrava ka tokona na kena rokovi, dokai ka vakamuri na lawa ni Koro oqo.

Vinaka saka vakalevu.

The Vuci Village Evacuation Centre In Brief

Ni Sa Bula Vinaka Saka Mai. This is a brief summary concerning the building of our new Raturagalevu Hall & Evacuation Centre, in the Tokatoka district, Tailevu Province.

Introduction

This specific build project was begun in 2012 with the leadership of the late Tui Vuci, Ratu Anare Rasumusumu. In 2017, a group of men and women of the village who were well educated and working in various institutions and organisations in the public and private sectors in Fiji were selected as board members for the village investment initiative called the Naivirourou Millenium Holdings Limited (NMHL) – the committee that looked after the development of the village.

In 2018, the building of the hall and evacuation centre was included as a priority in the inaugural Vuci Village Strategic Development Plan of 2018-2023, Core Area 1– Mitigating Climate Change Impact in our Community.

One of our board members, Mr. Tony Dravukatia of the Ministry of Infrastructure reviewed and redesigned the building plan of the centre in 2019. That revised building plan has been followed closely until now for the completion of the build.

The 2021 Vuci Day fundraising targeted development initiatives in the village including education scholarships for children and youths in the village, assistance to the various groups in the village such as youths and the women and the different church groups too. Other activities included the construction of raised concrete footpaths around the village including solar-powered lights for their illumination in the night as well as meeting administration costs for the village.

The 2023 Vuci Day fundraising was specifically marked for the completion of the Vuci hall and evacuation centre which is now being completed in September/October, 2024.

Description of the Vuci Village Evacuation Centre

  • Ground Floor – The ground floor of the Raturagalevu Hall & Evacuation Centre holds the Women’s Resource Centre, the Youth Resource Centre, a Kindergarten/Library, a village dispensary for the Community Health Worker (CHW) or the village nurse, the village headman’s office as well as an ablution block;

  • First Floor – The first floor of the building holds a village meeting house, as well as the evacuation centre for natural and man-made disasters, a briefing room as well spaces for food preparation, and an ablution

Disability Friendly Access

The building is designed to have Disability Friendly Access through the use of a international standardised concrete access ramp that was designed and built through the expert advice of the Adventist Development & Relief Agency (ADRA). The main purpose of the inclusion of a ramp is to facilitate quick assistance and access for members of the village who are physically handicapped/challenged including those on wheelchairs, are blind, those who are elderly, the too young and those suffering from chronic diseases. In times of disaster and crisis, the evacuation centre can accommodate more than 200 people at any one time.

The Funding of the Hall & Evacuation Centre

The construction of the building has been funded through a joint funding model between the village and the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs (MITA) through a government program called Village Improvement Scheme (VIS). The estimated total cost of the build is about FJD$450,000 and has been completed in September, 2024 with a formal opening and commissioning of the building held in October, 2024.


Village Emergency & Disaster Risk & Reduction Committee Formed


An emergency and disaster risk reduction committee was formed in the village after the ADRA non-government organisation (NGO) conducted after a 3-evenings awareness and training session in the village. The committee includes members who represent a wide section of the community such as youth, women, men, and the differently abled.

 

Peacetime Income Generation of the Raturagalevu Hall & Evacuation Centre

It is expected that the hall and evacuation centre will generate minimal income for the village during peacetimes. During peacetimes, other communal activities such as trainings and other social gatherings – weddings, birthdays and other celebration functions may be held in the Hall & Evacuation Centre. This also includes the hosting of trainings, awareness sessions, meetings and other functions for the district as well as the nearby provinces of Tailevu, Rewa and Naitasiri.

Read more about the opening of the hall

Launching of Vuci Village Strategic Plan 2024-2028

Liuliu ni Yavusa Naturuturukula: His View on Natural Disasters

More Photos Here

ADRA Training on Climate Resilience to Vuci Village Community

Read more about SCA 4 : Conservation & Climate Change Action

About 41 villagers from the village of Vuci, Tokatoka in Tailevu attended 3 evenings of awareness and preparation training on a concerted village response during climate-induced events, to build climate resilience. The flood-prone village, one of many located along the silt-rich deltas of the Rewa river is experiencing increased instances of flooding due to inundation from high moon tides, consecutive days of heavy rain as well as flooding due to high rainfalls during cyclones. This is one of the realities of climate change that the village now faces daily. 

The Climate Resilience training from the 16th to the 19th of April this year 2024, was conducted by the Adventist Relief Agency (ADRA) Fiji. Attended by the village elders, men, women, youths, school children as well as the Tokatoka district representative to the Tailevu Provincial Council, the training has been applauded as informative and timely by the community whose evacuation centre is currently under construction. ADRA trainer and event facilitator, Mr. Eseroma Ledua said the training on Evacuation Centre Management, included preparations for emergencies as well as the general maintenance of an evacuation site. He added that an emergency response plan was developed by the participants and a committee has been formed to coordinate the village response during an emergency. These were the two main outputs of the 3-evenings training session. The training program content was as follows: –  

VUCI EVACUATION CENTRE MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP

DAY 1 – 16/4/2024

1.      Registration

2.      Welcome and Introductions

3.      Expectations of the workshop

4.      Introduction on the EC Management and Operations including Biblical Context

5.      Communication and Reporting Procedures- DISMAC Emergency Structure

6.      Community Mapping

7.      Inclusivity (PWD (access/ provisions in the EC and the community), LGBTQI, Elderly, Lactating mothers, Children etc.), Protection (Gender) and Safety in ECs

Meet Your Women’s Wing President

DAY 2 – 17/4/2024

1.      Rapid Needs Assessment and Initial Damage Assessment- (community/ settlement process and conducts it)

2.      Identify triggers of when and why an evacuation centre needs to be activated. – Fiji Govt EC Management SOP, Page 7

3.      Occupancy Space per Person in an EC and Minority Groups (partitions/ (privacy screens/ curtains etc)

4.      How to manage and maintain an evacuation centre (EC Checklist/ Guidelines- Fiji Govt)

Liuliu ni Yavusa Naturuturukula: His View on Natural Disasters

DAY 3 – 18/4/2024

1.      Evacuation Centre Checklist- Fiji Govt EC Management SOP, Annex A – F

2.      Disaster Committee and community Roles in an evacuation

3.      Tabletop simulation- (Roundtable Discussion)- Hurricane/ Flood Simulation including Evacuation Route

4.      Debrief

5.      Closing of workshop

Opening of Raturagalevu Hall and Evacuation Centre

The selected emergency committee members include representatives from all sections of the village. They are Pita Dure Ladiniwasa (men’s representative), Kelera Secake (women’s representative),  Joeli Raduva (youth representative), Torika Rokoduru (village nurse), Sera Ravuoco (student’s representative), Timoci Tilolo (village headman) and the church padre, Talatala Tonia Vosatale.