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From Fiji Sun Online (16 February 2019) Soldiers Engage In Community Work by Maika Bolatiki A 35-strong team from the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) Engineers Corp have been engaged in community works while in Rotuma to build a new hospital. Speaking from Rotuma this week team leader Warrant Officer Class 1 (WO1) Penaia Balawa said apart from work on the hospital they were also engaged in three community projects. At Hapmak Village in the Itu'tiu district they were helping in the construction of a bakery. Members of the army engineers team were also helping in the construction of a piggery at Lopta village in the Oinafa district and laying blocks at a newly constructed home at Lau village in the Itu'ti'u district. He has described the Rotuman people as very friendly and helpful. As for work on the hospital they were just about to fill the floor. He said they had completed 28 per cent of the project and currently they were pouring cement to the northern wing and block-laying on the southern wing. The cost of the new hospital is $5.9million. He said all those who spent Christmas with their families in Fiji were back at work. The group returned with more building materials. Edited by Percy Kean From Loop (9 February 2018) Rotuman mother pursues passion for fashion A Rotuman mother in her 50s is finally pursuing her passion for fashion after wanting to do so for so long. Ravai Titifanue opened her online fashion boutique The Colour Closet two months ago, hoping to bring poppirlg bright outfits to New Zealanders all year round. Based in Wellirlgton, Titifanue sells Pacific inspired women's clothing that ranges from casual to formal. She says her love for colour is heavily influenced by her upbringing on Rotuma Island and being surrounded by hues and arrays of colours from the hills to the ocean. "The soil, the vegetation, the green, different shades of green, the soil. black and brown, the sea, the blue, the corals, the fish in different colours and then the flowers, different shapes and sizes. It's just beautiful and stunning. the colours everywhere." She says she took her surroundings for granted back home and wants to relive it, through her new business. "Here in New Zealand you have seasons and so come winter, we don't see hibiscus and frangipani and all those colours. Everything goes dark and grey and everyone is wearing muted colours." Titifanue says she's very grateful for her Rotuman upbringing and even though she's hit the 50s, it's never too late to chase your dreams. "Taking this step, many people say, 'It's too late,' but just take a shot... I embrace a quote by C.S Lewis: "You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream:"
To check out Ravai's new fashion line go to thecolourcloset.com From Fiji Broadcasting Corporation (6 February 2018) New Rotuma hospital to be opened in 8 months time Report by Savaira Tabua The construction of the new Rotuma Hospital is progressing well and expected to open in October. The hospital which has been constructed by the Fiji Military Forces since September is estimated to be around $8.3m. RFMF Commander Rear Admiral Viliame Naupoto says fifty engineers are currently in Rotuma trying to complete the construction work. The Commander is adamant this project will be completed on time. "The contract that we signed with the Ministry of Health is for us to hand over the hospital in October and we are very much on time to handover the new hospital to the Health Ministry in October." The first phase of the project which includes the construction of the hospital kitchen and the mortuary has been completed. However, the second phase is currently underway which sees the construction of the Northern wing, Southern wing and a double storey central block. |
