Tekivu Tale is best translated as 'new beginnings'

...and it is where Operation Foundation engages the community in wholistic restoration. This is our response to Fiji's natural disasters, Covid-19 pandemic and its impacts, in addition to targeted community development projects that have 'restoration of lives and community' as the goal and theme.

Below is an outline of our past and present engagements:

June 2021 - Nanuku Community

Nanuku Community is a settlement of 385 houses squeezed into a piece of land in Vatawaqa, Suva. Bordered by mangroves it has been called home by many families for over 30 years. The normal required infrastructure is rudimentary or absent, and about a third of the community is impacted by high tides, and all of the community affected by poor drainage.

Operation Foundation was invited to meet with some of the Nanuku Community and after some early discussions was asked to partner with the community. Our goal is restoration and over recent months this restoration engagement has grown in momentum and impact. From the outset we have encouraged the community to find and use their own internal resource and begin to strengthen around a new vision for what they want Nanuku to become. We have advised, encouraged, and where needed opened previously closed doors. Over the last 3 months we have partnered with the community in the following;

• Providing food rations to the vulnerable and needy,

• Major ongoing cleanup initiatives by the youth,

• A footpath project that is being assisted by the RFMF Engineers,

• A rebranding of community identity and development of a new community vision,

• The commencement of kindergarten and primary school classes and building a new extension to house the growing classes,

• Community survey and formation of community committee,

• Community meetings and consultations,

• Small site household vegetable growing,

• Diversion from income through drug supply to incubating small business,

• Commencing counselling services,

• Health outreach team to assess and provide care for stroke, aged, and disabled members of the community.

The goal has been to build and strengthen the community and this journey is only beginning. We are privileged to walk along side the inspiring and resilient families who are Nanuku Community.

March 2021 - Covid-19 Community Response

The long drawn out pandemic has devastated the Fijian economy. The absence of tourists has not just meant empty resorts but depleted the livelihood of tens of thousands of families across Fiji. Recent statistics published by the Fiji Bureau of Statistics showed that a 258,000 people where living below the poverty line and another 120,000 where on the borderline poverty line. These are sobering statistics that we see evidenced in the daily life around us.

Operation Foundation began to respond this crisis of poverty and hardship. We partnered with both individuals and overseas organisations to provide the necessary food rations that would sustain families. Sydney Anglican Aid in partnership with Youthworks College have raised funds with which have supplemented food rations for some 370 families. While at one level this is a drop in the ocean we are grateful for the partnerships and support that has allowed Operation Foundation to stand in the gap. Additionally, we have supplied produce grown on the farm at the Operation Foundation Ministry Centre to local families and into areas of need in Suva.

 July 2018 - House for Iva Update

Topped up on coffee and wielding drills, shovels, and saws the OF team (and a few extras) pitched in and finished a couple of outstanding items on Iva's new house. The day was characterised by laughter and good humour, with Fijian hospitality providing a lunch we couldn't finish. Photo's of the day can be viewed at this link.

What was exciting to evidence was the joy in Iva and her children - the relocation and new house have provided a good foundation for renewed wholistic health. Even more exciting was the news that the young local men who donated their time and labour helping to build the house have now all got full-time jobs. 

What we witnessed is how the first blessing of a financial gift from our donors TFSA, is now rippling out through a community.

May 2018 - Handover of House for Iva

On the Friday before Mother's Day the house was handed over to Iva and her children. It was a day of great celebration with the OF team and the community coming together.

January 2018 - House for Iva commences

With the generous funds raised by TFSA (Total Financial Solutions Australia), construction has begun on a new home for Iva and her eight children. The scope of the work is to provide a complete new dwelling while engaging the local community to assist with their labour and support. The photo's below show the progress to-date.

September 2017 - Special Purpose Project with TFSA - Total Financial Solutions Australia

TFSA have generously funded the construction of a new home for a family near Sigatoka. Community consultations have been undertaken, and the dwelling is now in planning and approval stage with construction anticipated to begin in November 2017.

May 2017 - TSFA Community Day

Construction of a water tank stand, installation of a water pipe line, and the construction and installation of three clothes lines at the Sigatoka Special School. This project was undertaken with the active participation of the advisor groups of TSFA (Total Financial Solutions Australia) during their Fiji conference.

We had a fantastic day with the TFSA Advisors. Thanks for your sweat, your love, and generosity.

October-November 2016 - TC Winston

Commenced the Naboutolu Rebuild by constructing 15 houses. The 5m x 5m houses are built on concrete slabs with an adjoining 2m x 2m bathroom. The frames are galvanized steel and the cladding corrugated iron. The structural strength of the houses is cyclone rated. Houses finished and handed over to the nominated families in the community. This project was led by Pastor Mark Wilson of Katalyst Church, Melbourne. Supported by the partnership of numerous financial donors, and made a reality on the ground by a team of 35+ dedicated men and women from all over Australia who gave up their holidays to come and rebuild.

May 2016 - TC Winston

Conducted Healing Trauma groups to affected communities and groups. 

February 2016 - TC Winston

The OF Team immediately responded to the national crisis after Tropical Cyclone Winston.

Distributions of initial Aid & Relief by way of food and essential goods to targeted communities in Tailevu, Ra, Vanua Levu and Taveuni.

September 2015 - HFP Community Day

Construction of two new bathrooms, and the installation of home electrical wiring and fittings, for three families with special needs family members in the Lautoka area. This project was undertaken with the active partnership of the team from Hunter Financial Planning in Newcastle, Australia.