Cuvulaca Lauds Assistance in Building Family Home

05/12/2020

NANISE NEIMILA
 
It was an emotional day for Tarisi Cuvulaca and her family after they received the keys for their newly-built home which was constructed under the Community Learning Alternative programme. Under this programme, 100 youths from the 75 villages in the nine districts of Kadavu will be building homes that have been affected by the Tropical Cyclone Harold.

The programme will upskill youth in carpentry, solar panel installation, maintenance of small engine repairs and plumbing and is a joint partnership between the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs, Fiji National University (FNU) and United Nations Development Program (UNDP). The Cuvulaca family were one of those whose homes were destroyed during TC Harold and they have been living in a tent.

However, with assistance of the programme, villagers were able to build their new home within six weeks only. “After the destruction of our home during TC Harold, I didn’t know where to get the money to construct another home,” Mrs Cuvulaca said.

“My husband is partially blind and my son is physically disabled.”

“I am thankful to the Fijian Government, the Fiji National University and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for introducing such programmes to benefit families like us.” “I would also like to acknowledge the village elders for their assistance to the youths to ensure that we were able to stay in a home that can withstand category 4 cyclones and be safe from in the future.” While commissioning the newly- built home, Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama highlighted that programs as such would promote socio-economic development by creating opportunities for investment. The Head of Government said that through such programmes youths can access the appropriate skills and knowledge for disaster rehabilitation and contribute to the National Development Plan through Inclusive Socio-Economic Development and Transformational Strategic Thrusts.
 
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