A new foot crossing sparks gratitude and hope
VILLAGERS of Vatukarasa, nestled in the heart of Tailevu, are jubilant over the completion of their long-awaited foot crossing, made possible through Government support.
Meleki Ravutuni, a 30-year-old resident of Vatukarasa village, shared his thoughts on the unveiling of the foot crossing by the Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and National Disaster Management, Sakiasi Ditoka.
“The entire village is overjoyed with the opening of the foot crossing today.”
“In the past, without a foot crossing, crossing the river during high water levels was nearly impossible- we had to rely on the large rocks to navigate.”
“We are immensely thankful to the Government for undertaking this significant project, especially for the safety of our schoolchildren who use this route daily.”
Standing proudly on the newly constructed foot crossing, Mr Ravutuni reflected on the years of wait leading up to this moment.
“We’ve waited patiently for years for this foot crossing to be built, knowing it would greatly improve our lives. Before its construction, accidents were common occurrences in this river.”
Heavy rain poured down on the newly built foot crossing, with the river flowing strongly beneath, Mr Ravutuni expressed the relief and gratitude of having little to worry about now when crossing this river.
“I extend my heartfelt thanks to the Government for their big assistance to Vatukarasa and Coloi villages. For far too long, our people have risked their safety crossing these treacherous waters on foot.”
For Vatukarasa Village, the foot crossing symbolises more than just a structure—it represents a lifeline, fostering connectivity and optimism for the future.
As the community gathered to commemorate this significant milestone, Mr Ravutuni could not help but smile, knowing that their collective aspirations have finally come to fruition.