Water is life
“WATER is a necessity and when we are without it, we will do whatever is needed to attain it.”
These were the words of 31-year-old Suhika Devi of Droca, a farming community in Bua, who for decades have struggled with water issues on a regular basis.
This life-long problem was solved following Government’s investment of $26,500 into a water project which has brought a sense of relief and has made life easier for the 60 Fijians in the area.
The statement “desperate situations call for desperate measures” was an adage this mother of three and fellow community members lived by, who at the height of water woes would fetch water from the nearby ditch, where overflow from the irrigation system surged.
“When wells run dry, and there is no other option – the ditch is where we go to with our buckets to fetch water for our household needs,” Ms Devi said.
“The commissioning of our water project allowing us to access quality drinking water in our homes by the Government gives us assurance that we are not forgotten, and for this, we are grateful.”
About 100 kilometres away from Droca, and a month later, residents of Korotari outside Labasa Town were in a celebratory mood, as they too witnessed the commissioning of their water project by the Assistant Minister for Rural and Maritime Development, and Disaster Management, Jovesa Vocea.
Maca Wainiqolo, 64, a beneficiary of the project, said “water is life” and to be deprived of this had its repercussions on their livelihood, particularly their health.
“Today marks one of the happiest days for our community, and all those that would benefit from this project because now we can access safe and clean drinking water right in our own homes,” Ms Wainiqolo said.
“Prior to this we would go down to the river and use it for cooking, bathing and cleaning, and at times this would affect our health. “We are grateful to the Government and its officials who ensured that we too can access quality drinking water like the rest of the people in the country.”
Asst Minister Vocea, while delivering his address, said this commitment was in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number six which places water and sanitation at the core of sustainable development and critical to the survival of people and the planet.