Naduri Village X Mates Fiji - Pathways and Lights Project
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All donations are in AUD - please google current exchange rate
About Naduri Village
Naduri is a tight-knit rural village, home to hardworking families, children, and elders who navigate life without the basic infrastructure many take for granted; like proper footpaths and street lighting, making everyday life difficult and sometimes dangerous… especially at night.
Every November through April, extended periods of flooding cause prolonged power outages. In times of flooding, this causes great risk to villagers and their dependents. Lack of lighting and limited footpaths can lead to transportation and communication issues during extreme weather events. Being able to move freely, regardless of the weather conditions, increases personal safety and improves quality of life. This sustainable option will offset the community’s power costs and be critical emergency infrastructure in the event of prolonged power outages.
We are looking to construct nearly 400 meters of footpaths and 20 solar lights throughout key areas of the village. Multiple engineers, electricians, and construction workers from Naduri have been involved in the planning and will be in charge of the implementation.
The Struggles We Face Daily
Unsafe Paths & Frequent Injuries
- Many elderly and disabled community members struggle to move around due to uneven dirt and gravel trails.
- Heavy rainfall causes flooding and erosion.
- Children walk to school on rough, unpaved paths that become muddy and slippery in the rain.
- At night, people have tripped and fallen due to complete darkness.
⚠️ Crime & Safety Concerns
- The village has been battling against drug and alcohol-related issues.
- Darkness creates an environment where theft, vandalism, and unwanted activities can occur unnoticed.
- People returning home from work or school at night feel unsafe, especially near the unlit bus stop.
Missed Opportunities for Youth
- Rugby is a way of life in Naduri, providing not just recreation but also a potential income for young athletes.
- A current lack of proper lighting means rugby practices are limited to daylight hours. Making it hard for young people to balance training with work or studies.
- Proper field lighting would allow for evening training sessions, unlocking new opportunities for our youth to pursue their dreams and foster a career path.
- A more accessible playing field would create an opportunity for the village to host tournaments to bring in money selling handicrafts and snacks.
Budget & Contributions
Equipment, materials, and supplies
Unit
cost ($$)
Number needed
Subtotal: Needed to implement the project
Cement 40kg X 450 @ $18each = $8,100
Welded Mesh X 4 @ $85each = $340
Builders Line X 2 @ $7.95eah = $15.90
Shovel X 3 @ $47.42each = $142.26
Trowel X 2 @ $10.92each = $21.90
Bolt Cutter = $44.95
WheelBarrow = $185
Pine 75x25 X 25 @ $2.36 = $56.64
LED Solar Street Light 50w X 20 @ $150.00 = $3,000
Pipe X 20 @ $66each = $1320
Meter Level = $26.00
Gravel and Sand Truckload Deliveries X 5 @ $300each = $1,500
TOTAL
$14,752.65 FJD
$10,075.57 AUD
$6,372.91 USD
Village Contribution: Over $6,000 FJD in labor, meals for workers, tools, and local expertise.
Solesolevaki
The idea of working together or solesolevaki is deeply rooted in Fijian culture. The labor will be provided by able-bodied men. They will meet daily, led by the Project Lead Tai Luke (a certified carpenter), to ensure project efficiency and communication. Their meals will be kindly provided by the women’s group. This is an opportunity for skills development among villagers in project management, knowledge of construction techniques, and renewable energy technology installation and maintenance.
Transparency
The assigned trustees, Ratu Levu (village mayor) and Koli (Head of the School Board) will keep receipts in paper form and send them to Mates Fiji digitally to keep track of the funds. At the end of each week, the project committee will meet with the workers to discuss and review the quality of the work completed that week. This way, they will be able to make any amendments and resolve problems to prepare for the next week of work.
This project was designed in collaboration with the village to find the most sustainable solution. Mates Fiji is providing the copyright and platform. Naduri had approved funding from USAID, but due to the elimination of the program, we are forced to find other solutions for completing this important work.
We promise to Do No Harm.
Organizer
Charlie Byrne
Organizer
Manly, NSW