VILLAGERS of Yasawa-i-Rara have organised a festival to raise $80,000 for the construction of a church that was completely destroyed by Tropical Cyclone Evan in 2012.

The Digicel Adi Yasawa-i-Rara Carnival began this week with villagers coming out to support the worthy cause.

Organising committee chairman Jiuta Raiva said this was the second year of the festival.

“We managed to raise about $30,000 after all of our expenses were paid off last year and with that money we began construction on the work of the church,” he said.

“Our vision is to have a much bigger and better facility that is much stronger than the one that was destroyed by Cyclone Evan.”

He said the church held special significance for the people of Yasawa-i-Rara.

“This is why we have to come together as a people to raise money to rebuild it.

“We have 16 tokatoka and all 16 have a target of their own to raise.

“We began the festival on Thursday night and each day until Saturday a different faction of the village will be giving their soli.”

He said it would take another year or two to raise enough funds to complete the church.

“We wanted this to be a project by the villagers and we know that it will take some time to raise the full amount but we are confident that we will get there eventually.”

The carnival ends today.