Six weeks in Fiji...

Nancy Thompson Mahler, our founder/president just returned home from a six week stay in Fiji. She spent a few days on the big island Viti Levu in Suva. Most of her time there was spent in meetings, picking up supplies and meeting with friends. Nancy and Ben Sorensen, our project manager, also attended the Rotary Club of Suva North. Rotary has been a generous supporter of our projects.

Suva North Rotary Club of Fiji

 While in Fiji, Nancy and Ben met with the Director of Immigration, Nemani Vuniwaqa, the Divisional Medical Officer, Dr. Dave Whippy and Deputy Secretary of Public Health, Dr. Josefa Koroivueta. We feel confident that Wananavu Kadavu Inc. will be working in Fiji for many years.

Project Manager Ben Sorensen and Dr. Josefa Koroivueta

Most of the time in Fiji, Nancy spent on the island of Kadavu, visiting Navuatu/Drue Villages and seeing old friends. Nancy hiked up to the Navuatu water project completed by Wananavu Kadavu last year, with Vilive Cula, Mojo and Epi. They walked ahead of her so they could use their machete to clear the path. Everything on the project looked good and the system was working without problems. In the beginning we wanted to do both the Navuatu and Drue Villages, but because of unforeseen road blocks, we were only able to work in the Navuatu Village. While visiting this year,  many people from both villages asked if and when we could add Drue to our existing spring/tanks. Wananavu Kadavu hopes that in the near future we will return to Drue to do this work. Until then, the community building used by both villages has a spout where everyone can get clean drinking water. The people of both Drue and Navuatu were very thankful for our efforts. It was very rewarding to receive such a warm welcome from both Drue and Navuatu.  

Navuatu Village Project

While in Navuatu/Drue there were tsunami warnings, a 4.5 earthquake and cyclone warnings. The weather may not have been sunshine all day, but it was always warm and beautiful. Nancy thought that it just added to the adventure and she knew she was among friends.  

During her stay in Kavala Bay, Nancy stayed with her son Ben, our project manager. Ben has been working in Fiji with Wananavu Kadavu since the summer of 2009. She said it was especially nice to meet with the men and women who have and will continue to work with Ben from start to finish. There are two men who work with Ben every day, Joseva Delana and Rato Cavei Saqeta. These men, along with many other men from the surrounding villages, have been instrumental in making this project at the Kavala Health Clinic possible. 

Crew Members of the Kavala Bay Project

Hiking up to the projects was very humbling. When meeting with officials in Suva, Nancy was asked if she really hiked up to each project. Her answer was "if these men can hike up with 120 lbs bags of cement on their backs, I can do it holding my camera". Many pictures were taken, lunch was a papaya shared with everyone and tears of gratitude flowed freely. It truly is a community working together. It was a joy to see the contributions and support of so many coming to fruition.

Kavala Bay Health Clinic Project

Nancy and Ben also visited several neighboring villages and resorts on Kadavu and Ono. The purpose of these visits was to give information about our projects and leave literature for any visitors wanting to be a part of this work. They visited Matana Beach Resort, Dive Kadavu; http://www.divekadavu.com/,  Matava- The Astrolabe Hideaway; http://www.matava.com/  ( while there they met travelers from their home state of Utah, USA ) and  Waisalima Beach Resort & Dive Centre; http://www.waisalima.com/.  Next, on the island of Ono, they spent time at Mai Dive- Astrolabe Reef Resort; http://www.maidive.com/blog.  All amazing resorts with delicious food, beautiful music and friendly people. The last stop was Oneta Resort; http://onetafiji.com/. While at Oneta, they meet tourists on a fishing trip from Australia who were celebrating a fortieth birthday for one. These men were  very interested in our projects and had great ideas to share. The owner, Piero Piva invited Nancy and Ben back the next day for dinner, and a farewell lovo with music and dancing with their new friends. At the end of the night they were treated to a nights stay and beautiful breakfast before heading back to Kavala Bay.  

Warm Welcome to Kadavu/One Fiji Islands

Before leaving Kavala Bay, Nancy had the opportunity to meet Rato Irinale Soqeta, father to RT Cavei and his family. RT Irinale is the Chief of the Nakasaleka District. He presented  Wananavu Kadavu with a beautiful hand carved Kava Bowl in appreciation of our work in Fiji.  Kava is a mildly intoxicating drink, the preparation of which involves elaborate ritual procedures when used in formal ceremonies where it plays an important part. The Kava is served from these bowls. Other ceremonies of farewell were given. The Navuatu Village presented our organization with a beautiful conch shell. The conch shell is customarily used as a horn by native Fijians to call people for meetings, church services and warnings. We are so grateful to have the opportunity to work in Fiji.

Project Manager Ben Sorensen, Founder Nancy Thompson Mahler, RT Sekeve and RT Irinale Soqeta

Boarding the big ship,  Suni-I-Wasa for Nancy's return to Suva was an experience to remember. Being her first ride on a large ship, she wasn't sure what to expect. Nancy says mingling with friends and passengers was a sweet goodbye. The crew of the Suni-I-Wasa were especially kind and generous which made the trip so enjoyable. They even invited Nancy on to the bridge to steer the ship. All arrived safely.

Back in Suva, Nancy and Ben were able to spend time with Dr. Russell Howorth, the Director of SOPAC and member of our advisory board. They also met with Garry Yost, Managing Director of ECO Energy Solutions. We thank you to all for your great wealth of information and support. We couldn't do it without you.   

Ben, Nancy, Seni and Advisory Board Member Russell Howorth

We have learned that natural  resources and agriculture are not a problem in Fiji, the land is rich and beautiful. Fiji is a wonderful country,  a paradise with some of the most hospitable people in the world. You will always be greeted with a warm welcome of Bula. Natural resources include timber, fish, gold, copper and hydro-power to name a few. Agriculture products include sugarcane, coconuts, cassava (tapioca), rice, sweet potatoes, bananas; cattle, pigs, horses, goats and fish. Industries include tourism, sugar, clothing, copra (dried meat, or kernel, of the coconut), gold, silver, lumber and small cottage industries. 

Fiji also has the best water in the world.  We know that because it's sold around the world in handy bottles. So why is Wananavu Kadavu working in Fiji to bring clean drinking water into rural villages, clinics and schools?  Unfortunately, many people in rural areas of Fiji do not have a reliable source of clean drinking water.  The issue is water access rather than water availability, since  Fiji is an aquifer-rich country and much of its clean water supply lies underneath the surface. Fiji has numerous small islands, some of which are low in elevation. Surface water availability is a problem in some islands, which rely on groundwater. Some have been able to use rainwater catchment, others don't have the money to buy needed materials.  Many people in Fiji do not have the resources needed to bring clean water where its needed most. In many rural villages, they are often using runoff from rivers and streams resulting in many illnesses. 

Wananavu Kadavu has been working on the island of Kadavu since the summer of 2009. We are fortunate that Kadavu is mountainous, which allows us to use a gravity fed water system to bring water to needed areas.  Our projects so far are the Nuku Settlement, Navuatu Village and the soon to be completed  Kavala Health Clinic at Kavala Bay. This project will serve nearly 1/3 of Kadavu's population. We have numerous villages, schools and clinics asking us to come to their village. Working with the Fijian Government has been a great opportunity for us.  The Prime Ministers Office, Immigration, the Health Ministry and others have been great supporters of our work. Vinaka vacalevu to you all and may we have many more years working together. 

Crew of the Navuatu/Drue Village Project

We are grateful to our supporters from around the world and those who have donated to this great cause. Water is life.

We will be holding our 2nd Annual Wananavu Kadavu Golf Tournament on Monday, August 1, 2011 at the Valley View Golf Course in Layton, Utah. We'd love to have you join us for a day of golf, good food and fun. If you'd like to be a sponsor, volunteer or make a donation please contact us by phone or email. 

One village at a time, together we can...

 facebook.com/Wananavukadavu

Kavala Health Clinic Project

Ben with Forman Jofeva and Ratucavei

Soon Nancy Thompson Mahler the founder/president of Wananavu Kadavu Inc. will be traveling to Fiji to check out the progress on the Kavala Health Clinic.The Clinic is located; Nakasalenka, Kadavu, Fijian Islands. 

While in Fiji Nancy plans on attending Rotary meetings with our project manager Ben Sorensen. Meeting with various people about upcoming projects, seeing old friends and meeting new.

Working at the Clinic has been a pleasure for Ben. Together he works with three differnet villages, and just like the two before he feels right at home.

Here are just a few photos of the project taken by Ben. When Nancy returns back to Utah we'll have many more to share with you.

 

 One village at a time, together we can...

Google Map of our projects in Fiji on the Island of Kadavu

Kadavu, Fiji Islands

The Fiji Islands

http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/fiji.htm

Here is a Google Map of our projects on Kadavu Island, Fiji. Our first project was the Nuku Settlement. This project had been started before we arrived, they had run out of resources. When we were asked to complete it we jumped on the chance. We had great support on this project. The men and women of the village worked together to make it possible. The men worked with our project manager, Ben Sorensen while the women kept them fed.

The Navuatu Village and the people are very special to us. The Cula families housed and fed our Ben, even took care of board members on a visit in 2010. This was our second project, here we added two Rotomould water tanks, each 5000 Litres. What was to be a library in this small village turned into Wananavu Kadavu-Fresh Water for Fiji.

The Kavala Health Clinic & Naleca Post Office is our biggest project to date. Our third project on the Island of Kadavu. This project will serve 1/3 of the island, over 3000 people. On this project our project manager is being housed by the Fiji Government near the health clinic. Three Villages rotate to work on this project, it's been nice to have so much support.

The weather can hold up work, getting needed supplies and fuel. Ben says it's been a pleasrue working with these thrree villages, its amazing what can be done when everyone works together.

Our project manager, has been unable to upload photos. In a couple of weeks he will have access to the internet so we can show the work being done.

We'd like to thank the Fiji Government, Health Department of Fiji, Holladay Rotary of Utah USA, the North Suva Rotary Club.  All the support we've received from the villages. Our dedicated and talented board member and advisory board members. With their support and the sponsors and donations from around the world this would not be possible. So, thank you very much, we're looking forward to many more projects in the future.

If you'd like to be apart of future projects we accept donations through PayPal.

"WATER IS LIFE"

One village at a time, together we can...

May our journey never end...

Looking back on our trip to Kadavu, Fiji Island last spring, grateful for the opportunity we've had to work there. Our journey began in the spring of 2009, may our journey never end.

Looking forward to the next trip, meeting the people in the area we're now working. Kavala Bay, our project there is the Kavala Health Clinic & Naleca Post Office. This water project will serve 1/3 of the island, 3000 people. 

http://serenagene.com/

One village at a time, together we can...

The Kavala Health Clinic Project, our first project in the New Year.

We have started work on the Kavala Health Clinic which also includes the Naleca Post Office. Our project manager, Ben Sorensen is enjoying the work at Kavala and the good people there. There are 3 villages working with us, they rotate days. This go around, Ben is staying in a government provided house near the Clinic. 

Having a friend here in Utah (our headquarters) from the Kavala Bay area is nice. Before we knew anyone in that location, we met Inoke Qaqanilawa, his wife Amileki and their young son Maia. Inoke is from the Naidti Village, Yale district on Kadavu Island. Inoke called me after he heard of the 1st Annual Wananavu Kadavu Golf Tournament. It was an honor having him join us for a day of golf, to help with the project near his childhood home. Inoke and his wife also cheered the Water Warriors ( our Dodge Ball team ) at the Utah Jazz Dodge Barrage. Two weeks later, the Qaqanilawas invited us to help celebrate the Fiji 40 Year Independence Day Celebration. It has been so nice to have these friendships that remind us of our work in Fiji. 

What was especially nice, was having Inoke speak at our Golf Tournament during the luncheon. He knew better then anyone the needs of his Island in Fiji. Soon, golf professional, Joseph Summerhays will be back to work organizing the 2nd Annual Wananavu Kadavu Golf Tournament. Last years tournament definitely wouldn't have been the success it was without him. The feedback from our first try at having a golf tournament has been positive. The best thing we heard was "it was fun". That is just how we want it, fun. 

We receive many emails, comments and letters of thanks for the work we're doing, but all of us involved with Wananavu Kadavu feel blessed and grateful for this great experience. The opportunity to help others is truly rewarding. God willing, we will have the ability to spend many years in Fiji helping to bring fresh spring water to families in need. 

We had someone comment that "Fiji has plenty of water, that's where Fiji Water comes from". Fiji Water does come from an artesian aquifer in theYaqara Valley, Viti Levu, Fiji. However over half of the population in Fiji does not have access to this type of clean water, or the materials to bring it to their rural villages, clinics and schools. 

Our Project Manager, Ben Sorensen has had years of experience in construction and is now learning more and more about water projects. As he met with the people in the villages where we have put in water tanks, he assured us he could do the work. Without him it would be close to impossible for us to provide for these projects. He has worked well with the Fiji Government and other people with the experience needed to move forward. Because of Ben and his committment, Wananavu Kadavu now has lifelong friends in the Fiji Islands. 

Here is a simple step by step outline of how our water projects work :

1st- Ben goes with locals and employees of the Kadavu Health Administration to find a clean water source. Once found, the Health Department tests the water flow to make sure it is strong enough to provide for the area in need. Then the water is tested for its purity. Once the water is found to meet government standards Ben starts to measure and calculate the job.

2nd- A dam is build at the water source, then pipes are constructed from the dam down to a site for the water tanks.

3rd- Depending on the number of tanks needed for the project, cement slabs are constructed to house the tanks. We use gravity to get the water to the homes, clinics or schools.

4th- Once the tanks are in, we plumb into the villages. 

The majority of the supplies used are; PVC pipe, fittings, lumber, rebar, cement  and of course water tanks which are made from polyethylene. As to date, we have purchased our tanks from Rotamould Fiji LTD in Wailada Lami, Suva. Other vendors are RC Manubhai & Co. LTD and Vinod Patel to name a few. Ben travels to Suva about every 6 to 8 weeks depending on the need. He makes the purchases needed, then returns to Kadavu on the boat with the supplies. 

Each village provides the man power and work along side Ben.  Food has been provided by the village we are working for. Ben has lived in the Navuatu Village until we started work at Kavala Bay. While in the Navuatu Village, he lived with the Cula families. What a great blessing the Cula family has been to Wananavu Kadavu Inc.

The villages where water projects have been built to date are; The Nuku Village and the Navuatu Village. The Kavala Health Clinic is our first clinic to work on, with the hopes of more in the future. 

When the project is finished, it is then gifted by Wananavu Kadavu to the village/clinics for future care and maintenance.

As said, this is a "simple" step by step outline. We can assure you there is a lot more to it.

We are looking forward to our journey in this New Year. The founder and president of Wananavu Kadavu, Nancy Thompson Mahler will be traveling to Fiji soon to see the progress. Also while in Fiji, she hopes to meet with Dr. Dave Whippy, Salote Cataka and others to make plans for our next project. 

We were told that it takes around 5 years to get a nonprofit off the ground. In just over a year we've provided water to two villages and are now working on a Health Clinic. The Kavala Health Clinic will provide water for 1/3 of the people on the island of Kadavu.

Maybe there really are no accidents in life, maybe it was meant to be. On the darkest days when we were trying to get on our feet, not knowing if we would come up with the money needed to continue, we sometimes wondered,  "what were we thinking"!?  The next day, there was a donation in just the amount needed to move forward. The success of our golf tournament made it possible to purchase the supplies needed for the Kavala Health Clinic. For all the sponsors, the golfers, family and friends who have supported us, thank you. To those of you who are strangers who believe in our work and have contributed, thank you. For all of you who have encouraged us along the way, thank you. You all kept us going. When we didn't think we could go on, you believed in us.

It takes more than a village, it takes the world. 

One village at a time, together we can...