School finishing repairs after last year?s Cyclone

A primary school in Suva, Fiji, is finishing its roof repairs this month after Tropical Cyclone Winston hit the island on February 2016.

The Marist Brothers Primary School (MBPS) is also planning on upgrading the school’s infrastructure which includes repairing its electrical and plumbing issues caused by the cyclone.

Despite the work, the students have been able to continue with lessons.

“The cyclone impacted the Brothers in many ways. Schools were closed due to damage and the student’s family homes were also damaged, some destroyed,” said Ashley Bulgarelli, projects and partnerships coordinator of Australian Marist Solidarity.

“There was a large amount of community support needed and the Brothers continued to operate their schools as best as possible so that the community could move on,” she continued. “The Brothers arranged to help people and communities who were the hardest hit.”

The first teaching Marist Brothers came to Fiji in 1888.  Since then, the brothers have taught in Suva, Cawaci, Naililili, Wairiki, Napuka and Savarekareka.

The Marist Brothers have five educational institutions in Suva: Marist Brothers High School, Marist Brothers Primary School, St. Marcellin Primary School, Champagnat Institute – a special needs vocational school, and Marcellin's Angels – a kindergarten.