JOIN OUR TEAM AS WE HELP THOSE
DEVASTATED BY CYCLONE WINSTON
NAITAUBA SCHOOL
/ SAFE HOUSE BUILDING FUND
All of Fiji is prone to cyclones (known in the Northern Hemisphere as hurricanes), and on February 20, 2016, Tropical Cyclone Winston—the most intense storm ever recorded in the Southern Hemisphere — devastated much of the country. On Naitauba, in addition to catastrophic wind damage, the associated tidal surge resulted in huge waves which demolished the houses close to the shore.
Naitauba (pronounced “Naita-oomba”) Island is located in Fiji’s Koro Sea. The capital city of Fiji, Suva, is 260 kilometres distant, and the nearest larger island is Taveuni, 64 kilometres and a 4 ½-hour boat trip away, over open ocean that is often very rough. There is no airstrip on Naitauba. Approximately 100 adults and 40-50 children are housed in a Fijian staff village on the island.
As described above, Cyclone Winston also caused extensive damage to the Naitauba school building. The school on Naitauba has three resident teachers and provides education for 38 children between the ages of 5 and 13. After reaching year 6 the children must board with families on one of the larger islands on Fiji in order to continue their education.
A 8 min. video about the NAITAUBA SCHOOL / SAFE HOUSE BUILDING project.
For more information about Naitauba Island please go to naitauba.org