Water is a basic necessity that shapes daily life, health and overall well-being. That is why, for years, rural communities across Fiji have worked tirelessly to secure reliable water sources for their homes.
The village of Barotu in Saivou, Ra, is among those now seeing progress, having been included in the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP) for the 2025/2026 financial year.
Through the PSIP initiative, Barotu’s existing water source will finally undergo much-needed upgrades, offering hope for consistent and improved supply to the community
Barotu, like many villages across Fiji, has faced water challenges for as long as residents can remember. With rapid population growth over the years, the village’s ageing water source has struggled to meet the needs of every household.
Now home to 65 households, including nearby settlements, the community is relieved and grateful to be included in the PSIP project.
Barotu Village headman, Mecuisela Tuilewa, said the long-awaited water project would begin soon.
He said the survey phase had been completed, and villagers were now waiting for construction to start.
“The new project will connect us directly to the water source near Mataveikai Village in the district of Tokaimalo.
Right now, the water is sourced from Mataveikai but shared with several other villages, with Barotu being the last on the supply chain,” he explained.
“With the new project, we will receive a direct water supply from the dam to the village, meaning we will no longer face the frequent disruptions we experience now. At the moment, the village is on a water schedule, and water is only available at set times. When supply runs out, we rely on nine 10,000-litre water tanks.”
When The Sunday Times team visited Barotu this month, the village men were hard at work completing their new footpath.
The footpath is expected to become the main walkway for villagers, providing safer and easier access between homes, the community hall, the church and the village seawall.
Complementing the village green, the new pathway will especially help elders and children move around safely during the rainy season.
The project falls under the Village Improvement Scheme (Village Beautification Program), supported by the Provincial Administrator, Ra. Villagers contributed at least a quarter of the total project cost, and the construction took them just two weeks to complete.
Mr Tuilewa said the community was also expecting the installation of solar streetlights, which will help guide villagers at night.
He said the footpath and upcoming solar lighting projects are part of ongoing efforts to enhance the village environment and make it a safer, more welcoming place to live.
In villages like Barotu, unity is more than just a value — it is a way of life. Whether it is constructing a footpath, maintaining water systems or supporting cultural and social activities, collective effort ensures that no one is left behind.
When everyone contributes, the load becomes lighter, and the results benefit all. Through cooperation, respect and shared responsibility, communities not only build infrastructure, but also build resilience, pride and a brighter future for generations to come.
