Dad Puts Children’s School Needs Ahead of Fixing Home Roof
Afather of five children whose home was affected by Tropical Cyclone Yasa, decided to use his $130 to shop for his children’s back-to- school items, instead of repairing the roof of his house. Nikola Drevula, 40, of Nakorotiki Village, in Wainunu, Bua, travelled from his home to Labasa Town by bus with four of his children earlier this week.
They left home at 4am and reached the bus station by 9:30am. Mr Drevula, a dalo and yaqona farmer, stood in the Labasa branch of Post Shop Fiji with no shoes on his feet. He advised his children, Titilia Ditemani, Kitione Malumulevu, Manasa Raisa and Ekari Waqanibau to go through the book list and he would wait for them at the cashier. Titilia is a Year 11 student at Ratu Luke Secondary School in Bua. Kitione is in Year Eight, while Manasa is in Year Seven and Ekari is in Year Three at Ratu Luke Primary School.
While standing near the cashier Mr Drevula opened his torn and worn out wet wallet, to count his money, hoping he had enough for his children’s back-to-school shopping. “I always wanted to go to school, but unfortunately my parents didn’t have money for my education,” Mr Drevula said.
“We live in an opened space house and during TC Yasa the roof got blown away by the strong wind.”
He said he stood inside his house watching the blue sky thinking whether to use the money to fix the roof or buy stationery for his children.
“Suddenly all my kids came to me asking if I could buy them stationery today so that they could prepare for school,” he said as tears filled his eyes.
“I couldn’t say no and told my wife to look after the four-year-old daughter while I take them to Labasa Town.”
He said children would always be children. “So since December 19, I have covered the rooftop with a tarpaulin,” he said.
“It will take us a while to recover, but I am happy I have my children and wife alive with me.”
Titilia, the eldest child said she was happy to have books instead of preparing for a New Year’s celebration.
“I know my parents are trying to clean the house and collect money for the roof,” Titilia said.
“But I told my father to buy books so that I can keep my siblings busy preparing for school while they can carry on with the house chores.”
Eight year old, Ekari with no shoes on her feet, pulled her father’s t-shirt to say thank you for the books.
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