The devastation of Cyclone Winston on the island nation of Fiji in 2016 resulted in widescale damage to housing and infrastructure. Communities for Communities joined Habitat for Humanity Fiji in supporting the Tavuya village in the Rewa River delta region of Fiji.

Following the cyclone, the 211 people of Tavuya village were living in makeshift housing built from salvaged materials. On top of this, a lack of sanitation posed a real risk to the health of the community.

Over a two-year period, Communities for Communities committed $260,000 to the project and our volunteer teams travelled to Fiji for six immersions to build cyclone-resistant housing, a kindergarten, a kitchen and a sanitation block. We also upgraded village footpaths and provided much-needed disability access. Our time in Tavuya village also allowed us to provide carpentry education and skills training for the community.