Fijian Houses Built for Habitat for Humanity

For our oldest College students, meaningful service initiatives often take them into a world of which they have no experience. For a number of years, a team of College students have spent their July holidays toiling in Fiji as part of Habitat for Humanity to build a home for the needy.

The Habitat experience is a humbling event that genuinely puts the students own lives into perspective, as it reveals how different the living conditions are to what they are used to back at home. Recognising this, it gives the students an even greater sense of what they have achieved for others during their short stay.

Our College Reverend David Smith gives us an insight into spending a week building the living quarters of two houses for Fijian families who require extra assistance.

On Sunday 7 July a team of fourteen Year 13 students (nine boys, five girls); myself and teachers Mr Piaggi and Mrs Leonard travelled to Fiji where in partnership with Habitat for Humanity and Fiji Rotahomes, they built two houses for some of Fiji’s poorest at Koroipita, a new village just outside of Lautoka.

This was the eighth Saint Kentigern College Habitat team and as per previous years proved to be a profound experience for students and staff alike.

Settling into our accommodation at the Koroipita Community Hall on the Sunday evening we were given an inspiring presentation of the history of Koroipita Village, a shared meal and a concert by the locals.

On Monday morning we settled into six days of early starts and 8-9 hour days in the hot Fijian sun. Assisted by local builders, who although are only paid $3.00 per hour, they loved their work and were always smiling. Our team worked incredibly hard at the building task and learnt many new skills along the way, including the fine art of strapping!

By the end of five days, and one day ahead of schedule, a combination of determination, resilience and excellent team-work meant that the team had successfully completed the living quarters of not one, but two houses for less-fortunate Fijian families, many of whom would come from the local slums.

This was an incredible feat for seventeen people and extremely satisfying. The new residents will pay $7.00 per week for the privilege of living in the houses, and although they are not much bigger than some of our own bedrooms, there will be dozens of applicants for them.

While in Fiji the team were able to participate in Fijian life well away from the tourist resorts, and the group came away with a real appreciation for all that we take for granted here in New Zealand, and a newfound gratitude of our Saint Kentigern community.

The overall journey was physically tough, but also an incredible life changing and eye-opening experience that will not be forgotten.

Vinaka vaka levu

With thanks to Reverend Smith