FIJI, Tokou Village, Ovalau Island, Lomaiviti Group - May 2009
Construction of a community hall in exchange for the establishment of a 365-acre marine reserve for a duration of 10 years
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Tokou is a beachside village located approximately three miles from the old Fijian capital, Levuka, on the island of Ovalau. The population of the village is approximately 700. Levuka has tentative status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site; Tokou is on the southern border of this UNESCO site. Seacology will fund the construction of a much needed community center in exchange for the establishment of a 365-acre marine reserve for a duration of 10 years. The community center would host cultural and social events, and would provide a place for village women to produce handicrafts and organize fundraising activities for the village. Tourist ships are due to begin visiting Levuka in May 2009, and Tokou, which is on visitor itineraries, will greatly benefit from having a venue to host guests.
UPDATE December 2009 - Field representative Harry Powell met with the representative from Tokou in August 2009. He expressed his and the draftsman's concerns regarding the current building specifications. Agreements were made to use concrete and steel rather than pine poles and to reduce the number of doors. The draftsman will draw up the new plans, although even with the modifications the budget is now expected to be more than Seacology's grant will cover. The Tokou representative assured Harry that the village will raise these additional funds themselves. Construction began in October of 2009. As of December 2009 Harry reports that the village representative is attempting to get assistance with freight costs to ship all the materials to Tokou. This is causing delays in getting the project underway.
