“I only wish my father would have been here with me so we could have been able to spend Christmas together.”
These are the sentiments of 23-year-old Vulasi Rawaileba when asked by Fijivillage on how he felt after receiving keys of his new three bedroom house at a subdivision in Nakasi from Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama.
Rawaileba says even though his father has passed a long time ago, he still feels like he is watching especially during moments like this.
Lance Corporal Simione Rawaileba died during the 2000 coup.
Rawaileba says when he entered the new house, he could not hold back the tears as all he could think about was his father and the pains he went through for his family and his country.
He says he does not need a Christmas wish anymore as it has been finally fulfilled.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama says that the passing of a child, husband or a father is a pain that does not dull in memory or in time.
Bainimarama says the devastating loss will always be fresh in the minds of those who loved and cared for these brave Fijians.
He says that although they cannot fill the void left for these families, they still have to do what they can to properly respect the memories of the fallen.
Two families received the keys for their new three bedroom house while the construction of the remaining four houses will be completed by June next year, which will then be handed over to the families of the fallen heroes of the 2000 coup.
