The journey began with a WhatsApp message in response to a series of community building posts we had placed on our Operation Foundation Facebook page. It was a simple request asking for help. What has begun in Nanuku is a new restorative engagement for Operation Foundation.
Nanuku Community is a collection of 385 dwellings on a small piece of land on the Suva foreshore. In high tide the sea water covers about a third of the land. In this economic downturn it has been drug trafficking and prostitution that has been keeping food on the tables. Facing this, it has been a rollercoaster journey of working together with the community to bring change and restoration.
In beginning the process of change, Nanuku has begun paving new footpaths in all sectors. Because Nanuku is built on reclaimed land, the community ground remains swampy or partially submerged quite often. Making new pathways has been only one component of Operation Foundations partnership plan with the community to making Nanuku safer. And it was with much gratitude that Operation Foundation and the people of the community received multiple donations of soapstone from the RFMF for the footpaths. With the new and improved footpaths making walking through the community easier and safer, many people were optimistic about other innovative changes that would be happening in the future.
Following on a little more, on the 15th of October, Nanuku Community celebrated 100 days of change. This occasion marked a milestone for the people, who despite their lack of resources and limitations imposed due to Covid-19, worked together with Operation Foundation to clean up and set their community on the path to a better future. Some of these new initiatives were, as simple as running a community clean-up day, to rebuilding footpaths, and even beginning classes with primary school children in the community. Guests at the ceremony included representatives from various church denominations, NGO’s, Beacon Media, USP, and the former chef de mission for Tokyo 2020, Mr. Patrick Bower who was also the chief guest. The visitors were pleasantly surprised at the positive atmosphere in the community, and the passion showed during the community development reports. Reports of progress from the different sectors were shared with the audience, with many speakers expressing gratitude for the visible improvements in the community, and hope for continuous and consistent development.
