As the dawn breaks over the serene hills of Yadua in Nadroga, Sevutia Finau Gonelevu is already immersed in her daily tasks. The devoted mother, grandmother, and family matriarch diligently hand-washes clothes on her wooden porch, utilizing rainwater that she meticulously collects overnight.
Sevutia’s day begins long before her household awakens, embodying a routine shaped by both the beauty and challenges of her environment. Originally hailing from Burebasaga in Rewa and now settled in Cuvu, she cherishes the tranquility and privacy that Yadua offers her family. However, beneath this idyllic setting lies an ongoing battle against a critical issue: water shortages.
“Our biggest problem here is the water cuts,” Sevutia explains as she wrings out garments, revealing the gravity of her situation. “Sometimes the water disappears from our tap for a whole week.” In these instances, life reverts to a mode of survival where the family depends heavily on rainwater for essential needs like cooking, bathing, washing, and drinking.
As the heart of her household, Sevutia shoulders the weight of these responsibilities, which revolve around a resource many take for granted—running water. “I can face power cuts,” she asserts, emphasizing the severity of her predicament, “But when there’s no water in the tap, that’s when the real struggle begins. Water is life.”
The unpredictability of water supply drastically alters family dynamics and lifestyle. To mitigate the impact of potential water cuts, Sevutia rises before the sun, taking advantage of the early morning to fill bottles, basins, and buckets while water is still flowing. “Sometimes we even bathe at four in the morning,” she admits. “We try to beat the water cuts before they happen.”
Sevutia dreams of having a water tank beside her home, allowing her to harvest and store rainwater for times of scarcity. Presently, when water sources are low, her family is compelled to trek several kilometers to the village to collect water, a laborious and potentially costly endeavor.
“When water becomes scarce, everyone suffers,” she states. “But women feel it the most because our daily work depends on it.” Despite the challenges, Sevutia exhibits remarkable resilience. She remains steadfast in her commitment to the health and wellbeing of her family, refusing to consider surrender.
Each day, she rises to face her challenges, fueled by the hope that one day, water will flow steadily again. Until that day arrives, Sevutia presses on, embodying the spirit of perseverance as she ensures that, for her family, life continues.
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