Vasiti’s Story

Vasiti lives in Natovi, Tailevu Province, Fiji. She is 13 years old and attends Natovi Catholic Primary School.

She reflects on what it was like when Cyclone Winston hit Fiji in March 2016.

Vasiti was very scared when the cyclone came. It was the biggest storm that she had ever experienced. WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST STORM THAT YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED?

Her family and school were affected by the cyclone. The roof of her family home was blown away during the storm (just like this home shown in the picture).

WHAT IS THE SAFEST PLACE She has two baby siblings and they had to be moved to the safest part of the house which was the toilet. Both babies got sick after the storm. WHAT IS THE SAFEST PLACE IN YOUR HOUSE?

The timing of the cyclone meant that she had less time to study. Back at school her education was impacted as she was preparing for the nationwide exam. The timing of the cyclone meant that she had less time to study.

She was hoping that she would be ready for the exam the following week.

CLOSE YOUR EYES AND IMAGINE WHAT THIS WOULD HAVE LOOKED LIKE? Soldiers helped after the cyclone and put up a tarpaulin over her home to act as a temporary roof. CLOSE YOUR EYES AND IMAGINE WHAT THIS WOULD HAVE LOOKED LIKE?

School was very different after the cyclone. Children were traumatised after what they had experienced. It was very hard for them to concentrate on their work. HAVE YOU FOUND IT HARD TO CONCENTRATE ON SCHOOL WORK BEFORE?

Vasiti was feeling much better and home life was getting back to normal again.

Photo Credits: Crispin Anderlini