Nawai farmers in Nadi show a perfect example of what self-help spirit can achieve

Farmers joined forces to rebuild the bridges instead of waiting for the Government do it for them.

Two bridges in Nawai, Nadi were destroyed by floods at the beginning of this year. Twenty-three farmers and their families were affected.

The Government has noted the bridges in its long line of infrastructure repairs that must be done. It will take some time depending on the availability of the funds and resources to do the job.

The Government’s Build Back Stronger scheme means any rebuilding will take longer than before. But the farmers of Nawai cannot wait any longer. Every day the farmers cannot drive their cane trucks across the bridges because they are broken.

Now, they have joined forces to rebuild the bridges instead of waiting for the Government to go and do it.

They have raised some money and provided manpower to undertake the project.

This is not a simple work and the locals will be doing their best to comply with engineering and safety requirements.

The farmers do not want to depend on the Government all the time. They feel they can do it themselves if they come together as one. And they did. Soon the repaired bridge will reopen and start serving the people again.

These farmers have shown confidence and commitment that they can roll up their sleeves and repair the bridges.

The bridges cater for 72 residents who use the bridge daily comprising those who go to work, students travelling to schools and farmers carting cane and other produce to the markets.

Community advisory councillor Shaireen Hussein says they have no other option but to sacrifice from their pockets to have the bridges repaired. This is a sugar cane farm road which provides valuable access to a variety of purposes.

It is an important link to the outside world in terms of economic activities.

If the Nawai farmers can do it, others can do it also. Sometimes we are too reliant on the Government to spoon-feed us.

We can end this dependence if we take that leap of faith and say we can do it.

We must first have the desire backed up by commitment, hard work and sacrifice.

This principle of self-help, when practised teaches us to be self-reliant and independent.

As we grow as a nation, our development will be stronger because it is built on a sure foundation of this principle.