On the outskirts of the capital, the livelihood of more than 3000 people depend largely on the use of a bridge, which connects them to their respective sources of income.
The bridge connecting Qauia Settlement to the main road is underwater. Photo: File
On the outskirts of the capital, the livelihood of more than 3000 people depend largely on the use of a bridge, which connects them to their respective sources of income.
Its people live by simple means, where even as the struggle may be real, the community remains a largely content and resilient lot.
They are a people whose jobs are not necessarily inclusive of long-term financial security, nor secured in superannuation or rainy-day piggy banks. But they get by.
When the connecting bridge to their village was washed away, relatives from abroad raised funds to reconstruct the infrastructure.
The mission was successful as locals pitched in through labour, and the Government forked out some taxpayer funds to assist in the redevelopment.
The community effort epitomised self-reliance. The entire make up bespoke the real roles of the Government and its people, under such circumstance.
Many should take a leaf out of the experience of Qauia, where women, children and old folks, did not wait for a Government handout, to repair one of its most vital infrastructure.
Villagers chose to strengthen their own economy, not giving in to the crutches of charity.
As we approach the annual cyclone season, it is disturbing to learn that another community continues to live in tents – more than two years after cyclones Yasa (December 2020) and Ana (January 2021) destroyed their homes.
The gnawing reality spells niggling concern of a lingering handout mentality, and the glaring absence of self-reliance at grassroots level.
Like poverty, the Labasa community’s decision to opt for tent-style living, boils down to sheer choice.
The societal mindset that Government is the be-all and end-all of social woes, is reminiscent of outdated policies akin to the handout mentality.
However, the situation in the North points to the growing need for housing insurance across all social settings – more so for the tropics, where an annual calendar season for cyclones is set in the annals.
Just as families residing in tents should not await manna from the Government, so too must authorities act to strengthen social platforms for housing and infrastructure.
The paradigm of our kinfolks in Qauia rings true the adage, God helps those who help themselves.
Feedback: frederica.elbourne@fijisun.com.fj
