Giving hope to the poor
TUCKED away in the middle of Nanuku Settlement in Vatuwaqa, Suva, is the home of Pon Sami, a 76-year-old gentleman, who is counting his blessings every day. Mr Pon Sami was living in squalid conditions and it was only after a plea on radio and television that a group of kind-hearted Samaritans came knocking.
One of those was father and son duo, Vijay and Amish Nand, who operate Royal Homes Fiji, a property developer and construction works.
They were approached by a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Being Helping Hands Fiji, to provide assistance to volunteers on how to construct a home for Mr Pon Sami.
For Mr Vijay, it was a life changer. After spending 18 years in the construction business in New Zealand, the 60-year-old, said, it was about making a difference in other people’s lives.
“Answering to these young people’s call to me is a blessing in disguise,” he said.
“God has set upon my heart something worthwhile to support the young volunteers and to make something worthwhile and enriching for other people as well as for me,” he said.
The volunteers numbered eight, none of them with any carpentering experience.
After hearing of their plight, Mr Nand decided to assist them — free of charge.
“When the depression of Tropical Cyclone Sarai came about, I couldn’t sleep. We had to halt work because of the heavy rain.
“But I was up all night worried about Pon Sami. I told the crew, we have to build his house as soon as possible and I am happy to say we did it in three weeks.”
Royal Homes Fiji which the father and son own, has been in operation in Fiji for three and a half years now.
“I have building experience from New Zealand. We initially came with Kit Set Home Builder — helping to set up kit homes but thought to start out on our own,” said Mr Nand
“I come from a very humble beginning — a pen pusher, but I got bored with all the work.
“Then I decided to go into construction which I had much interest in and the accolades I got from clients was encouraging so I continued,” he said.
“Hopefully with the blessings Being Helping Hands Fiji, we will be the leading hands for their construction work.
“And on behalf of Helping Hands, we welcome anybody to join us, we don’t do it for any money, it’s just out of the goodness of helping the lovely lady Razia who is the founder. I am proud of her; she is selfless in what she does,” he said with a smile.
■ VICTORY FOR HUMANITY — read in this week’s THE SUNDAY TIMES
God has set upon my heart something worthwhile to support the young volunteers and to make something worthwhile and enriching for other people as well as for me – Vijay Nand