Fiji cyclone villages will welcome northern beaches duo as part of team going to help
A PAIR of northern beaches men are part of a group travelling to Fiji to help people devastated by the cyclone.
Nth Beaches
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A PAIR of northern beaches men are part of a group travelling to Fiji to help people devastated by the cyclone.
Allan Stevens, 40, from Dee Why. and Warriewood’s Matthew Blackburn, 37, will fly to the island nation on Saturday to help rebuild a village on Vanua Levu hit by Cyclone Winston.
Both men have enjoyed family holidays to a nearby resort, and have kept in touch with many hotel staff who live in the village of Nukubalavu.
When they heard it had been severely damaged, they decided to go help.
They have both stayed at luxury island hotel, Jean Michel Cousteau resort, where many of the villagers work.
Mr Stevens, a dad of four, works as a surveyor, while Mr Blackburn is also handy with tools, so they’ve packed their cases with plenty of equipment to help with the rebuild.
As there is no power, they’ll recharge the tools using cars.
They’ve heard 24 homes have been totally destroyed while 21 have been damaged, with a kindergarten also wrecked.
Overall, the cyclone killed more than 40 people.
Mr Stevens said: “We do not really know what to expect.
“They have just been sleeping where they can. I think the school’s been helping.”
The pair have both taken a week off work to go over, but hope to come up with a longer-term plan to help.
They hope to raise $65,000 towards the rebuilding of the village with cyclone-proof structures.
Both men have become close to some of the people there, with Mrs Allan’s wife, even taking over a pram to a woman they met who was having a baby. Her house is one which has gone.
And while their cases are packed with equipment, they’re also taking presents for the children.
When Mr Blackburn asked one of his contacts what they’d like, she came back with a simple answer.
“Marbles,” he said. “The kids are happy with something as simple as marbles.
“The people are just awesome.
“The photos are very confronting but the people are still so happy.”
Details: To help with the fundraising, visit: gofundme.com/bnrr34us
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