FIJI, Levukai Daku Village, Matuku Island, Lau Group - January 2008
Community center in exchange for the establishment of a 19,200-acre no-take marine reserve for a duration of 10 years
Click photo to enlarge
Matuku Island is one of 10 scattered islands comprising Fiji’s Lau Group. Levukai Village, with a population of about 200, relies primarily on coconut (copra) resources for their subsistence lifestyle. The village has its own primary school, as well as a health center that caters to the other few villages in the Lau Group. Seacology is providing the village with funds for a much-needed community center. In exchange, the people of Levukai Daku will declare 19,200 acres of their fishing rights area as a no-take marine reserve. Fiji’s former President Ratu Mara declared the waters of the Lau Group closed to commercial fishing 10 years ago; the new no-take area will be closed to all fishing activity.
UPDATE May 2008 - Materials were purchased in February 2008. As of April 2008 the foundation and wall framing was completed and the crew was moving on to installing the roof. A site visit is scheduled for August 2008.
UPDATE December 2009 - In August 2009 field representative Harry Powell spoke with the Levukai Daku Village representative. He is trying to secure shipment of the building materials free of charge on a government vessel, but Harry asked him to also obtain quotes from commercial shipping companies. As of December 2009 Harry reports that apart from 60 bags of cement, all other materials have been shipped to Levukai Daku. In order to minimize costs the bulk of the work to complete the showers and toilets will be done by the villagers and the carpenter will only be required for the finishing.
UPDATE February 2010 - As of February 2010 Harry reports that although progress was slow during December and January, all the material has been safely stored in the hall while the carpenter has divided his work with other village/community commitments. However, the toilet and shower building should be completed soon.
UPDATE May 2010 - As of May 2010 the village contact reports that the community hall is almost complete but work has been stalled by Cylone Thomas; currently work is suspended to allow villagers to work on their farms that were affected by the cyclone. However the village Turaga ni Koro advises the they will soon start work again including tiling and painting.
UPDATE September 2010 - As of September 2010 field representatives Harry & Jackie Powell report that progress towards completion of the community hall toilet and showers has been slow because reconstruction work at two villages since the March Cyclone has taken priority and the one and only carpenter on the island has been more or less totally involved. However the good news is that the toilet and shower block has been completed apart from some minor plastering work, finishing, tiling and painting. A project contact will be going to Makutu for Christmas and will return with photos.
UPDATE June 2011 - The village representative reports that the roof of the toilet and shower block has finally been completed and the toilet pans are in the process of being installed. They have completed all their assigned government work, so now the carpenters and assistants can devote more time to completing the toilet and shower block.
