Maya Wati found herself trapped in a terrifying situation as floodwaters surged around her home during a relentless rainstorm in Nabua, Suva. At 66 years old and living alone in the Muslim League squatter settlement, she faced the rising waters with a profound sense of dread on Sunday night, recounting an experience that nearly cost her life.
As heavy rainfall lashed the Central Division, Wati watched helplessly as the creek overflowed, rapidly submerging nearby houses. Stranded and unable to reach safety, the elderly woman described the chilling moment when the water reached her shoulders, leading her to believe her time was at an end. “At that moment, I thought it was the end of my life,” she said.
With no one nearby to assist her, Wati turned to prayer, seeking solace in faith amid the chaos. Although she tried to contact members of her church for assistance, the torrential downpour made it impossible for help to reach her in time. The floodwaters rose swiftly, preventing her from salvaging any of her possessions.
“I am a sickly woman, and I simply didn’t have the strength to lift or move anything,” Wati explained. “Even if I had tried, it wouldn’t have made a difference because the floodwaters rose so quickly and high.” With her home now engulfed by the rushing water, she was left to witness the destruction of her belongings—food, clothes, bedding, and kitchenware—all lost.
Fortunately, Wati received support the following day from members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who came to offer assistance. Upon the arrival of The Fiji Times, church volunteers were seen helping her with daily tasks and beginning the formidable task of cleaning her home.
The support from her community provides a glimmer of hope as Wati navigates this challenging chapter in her life. It is during such trying times that compassion and solidarity shine through, reminding us of the strength found in community and human connection.
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