Kemueli Musunamasi vividly recalls the harrowing day that Tropical Cyclone Winston struck Fiji nearly nine years ago. This Category 5 cyclone, the most potent to ever hit the Southern Hemisphere, resulted in the loss of 44 lives and caused the displacement of thousands of individuals.
At the time, Musunamasi was teaching on Koro Island, one of the areas that suffered severe damage. As the cyclone approached, the roof of his quarters was wrenched off, prompting him and others to seek refuge amidst the chaos. They managed to take shelter in another teacher’s flat, huddling together while strong winds roared outside.
“It felt like it just happened yesterday. It was so harsh and it did not leave anything behind. We lost a lot of close friends we made there in Koro,” Musunamasi reflected, capturing the emotional toll that the cyclone had on him and his community.
Despite the warnings to evacuate to a school building, Musunamasi cautioned his colleagues that it was too late and too risky. Instead, they crawled through the storm to another teacher’s quarters and barricaded themselves inside a bathroom, praying for survival.
The cyclone finally weakened around 6 p.m., allowing Musunamasi to step outside, where he was met with widespread devastation: homes laid flat, uprooted trees, and shattered lives. Although he counts himself fortunate to have survived, he carries the heavy burden of the loss he experienced.
Today, Musunamasi serves as the Head of School at the Fiji Vocational Technical Training Centre for Persons with Disabilities. He perceives his role as a calling from God, aiming to make a meaningful impact in the lives of his students.
This reflection serves not only as a reminder of the devastation wrought by natural disasters but also highlights the resilience and ongoing commitment of individuals like Musunamasi to rebuild and create positive change in their communities. Even amidst the memories of tragedy, there is hope and strength found in service and support to others, showing how even in the aftermath of destruction, humanity can find ways to flourish and uplift one another.
The stories of survival and recovery from severe weather events are crucial in understanding the importance of preparedness and community support in times of crisis. The experiences of those like Musunamasi emphasize a spirit of resilience that can define a community’s path forward, encouraging others to unite and uplift each other in recovery efforts.
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