U.S couple pour $millions in building North Community Halls
Communities in the South coast of Vanua Levu are grateful to the assistance of an American couple for building their village halls.
Ken and Donna Barasch first visited Fiji in the mid 1980s and fell in love with the friendly people and promised to help these communities in every way possible.
The couple then founded Savusavu
Community Foundation to provide assistance such as healthcare, education,environmental, disaster relief, cultural preservation and community support of people in Savusavu.
Since it’s establishment in 2003, the foundation has obtained donations of more than $55 million.
They gave $110 million to support healthcare all over Fiji.
Mr Barasch said out of the 16 halls, 10 they funded and builtfrom scratch.
He said Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort for provided two carpenters and organised the logistics of the materials.
Vivili Village
Vivili Village headman, Sekaia Malani gave a big thank you to Mr Ken and SCF for the tremendous contribution.
“We are amazed and grateful, not only did you donate your wealth, but you and your team on the ground shared your time, energy and hearts tirelessly to successfully complete this beautiful, aboveand-beyond expectation, community dining and kitchen hall,”Mr Malani said.
Mr Malani said the women during rainy weather would be soaked for eight to 12 hours for many days cooking and preparing meals outside, but now it is a different story.
Kioa
Similarly, Kioa village hall was completed within three weeks earlier this month.
Chairman of Kioa Island, Maeli Savea said his people were happy and greatful for Mr Barasch’s kind heart.
“Our hall is constantly used to gather our community members for meetings, celebrations,”Mr Savea said.
He said the hall would also be used as an evacuation centre.