Four surviving members of the Teruka family, whose home was destroyed in a fire in 1984, received keys to their new house three years after the devastating event. According to a report from The Fiji Times dated May 10, 1987, the $20,000 concrete house located in Naboro—half a kilometer from the site of the fire—was constructed through the kindness of the Fijian community.
The fire, which originated from a benzene light, occurred on July 2, 1984, and tragically resulted in the deaths of their father, their two-year-old son, and their eldest daughter, eight-year-old Raini. Since the incident, the remaining family members had been staying with various friends and relatives.
The Fiji Sixes Charity Committee initiated a public fundraising campaign for Borita Teruka and her three daughters, starting with an initial $1,000 contribution. This campaign, facilitated by The Fiji Times, successfully raised an additional $10,168 through public support. The remaining funds for the house came from the insurance and savings of the late Mr. Teruka, who served as a laboratory assistant at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital.
The public trustee, Dhirendra Singh, oversaw the family’s finances and the construction of the new home, which was built by Mr. Latchmaiya Naidu of William Plumbing Work in Suva. Situated on a five-acre hilltop lease that offers views of the sea and extensive bushland, the two-bedroom house, measuring six by nine meters, was constructed in exactly the location where the late Mr. Teruka had intended to build a more extensive family dwelling.
The house was fully furnished with new beds, chairs, and tables. The keys to the new home were presented to the family by Rex Gardener, the general manager of The Fiji Times at that time. He expressed heartfelt sentiments, stating, “The country opened its heart in your hour of need, and it was a tremendous expression of generosity and provides us with a great faith in human nature.” He added, “The Fiji Sixes and The Fiji Times were happy to help make a positive contribution to securing the future for you and your daughters.”
Ms. Teruka expressed immense gratitude for the fresh start, saying, “We are very happy and thankful to the people of Fiji for their help, thank you to everyone.”