Years of inadequate road conditions have compelled families to leave Saturaki Village in Wairiki, Cakaudrove Province, seeking better educational opportunities and essential services in urban areas, with many never returning.
Currently, the village is home to only 13 families, approximately 80 individuals, which is placing additional strain on those who remain, as they face worsening living conditions while trying to uphold communal responsibilities. Anare Tuinayau, a 62-year-old farmer, has voiced concerns about the persistent issues of deteriorating road access and inconsistent water supply that significantly impact daily life for the villagers.
Residents rely on borehole water, a situation that becomes particularly troubling during dry spells. Though the village possesses two water tanks, these are inadequate to meet the community’s needs, and the rising cost of living further complicates their challenges. Tuinayau, who has been selling agricultural produce for over a decade to provide for his family, reports that earnings are insufficient to cover even basic necessities.
Travel costs to and from the village run around $60 per trip, making access to markets, health services, and other crucial amenities increasingly unaffordable. Villagers have expressed that the absence of infrastructure is gradually eroding their community, and there is growing alarm that without immediate action, additional families will feel compelled to leave.
Residents have directed their concerns to local authorities, urging prompt attention to road maintenance, water infrastructure, and the need for long-term support to safeguard the future of they village. It is a call for action to not only improve living conditions but also to preserve the remaining community before it is too late.
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