Setariki Matanidaku, a resident of Sarava in Labasa, is urgently seeking assistance after a powerful whirlwind devastated his home on Monday afternoon. The rare weather event occurred around 4 PM, causing significant damage to the only house affected in the area that day. The storm tore off the roofing iron, collapsed walls, and scattered numerous household items and clothing.
At 45 years old, Mr. Matanidaku has lived his life contributing to his community, and he is now turning to local residents for support in rebuilding his three-bedroom house. “I have been a community man all my life, and now it’s the community’s turn to help,” he stated. Currently, he and his family are temporarily staying with relatives nearby, as they navigate this challenging situation.
Mr. Matanidaku is requesting donations of cash or building materials, as the estimated cost of repairs is around $50,000. He mentioned that he has managed to salvage some roofing iron, but much of it is bent and unusable. “We lost everything in the wind; the only clothes left were those we had on that day,” he lamented.
The incident highlights the growing need for community support in face of such disasters, as other families in the region have also experienced significant losses recently. In previous events, similar appeals for assistance have garnered impressive community responses, fostering a spirit of solidarity and hope.
Despite the tremendous hardships faced, Mr. Matanidaku expressed a sense of hope for rebuilding his home. He remains optimistic that with community support, they can restore their lives and home. Donations can be made directly to Mr. Matanidaku, who is also encouraging those nearby to lend a helping hand during this trying time.
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