One of Ovalau's oldest boarding schools is calling on former students and the wider community for help after a damaged hostel stove has forced students to cook using firewood.
St John's College in Cawaci has been relying on firewood to prepare meals for students at the girls' hostel after the stove broke down last year.
Speaking to fijivillage News, Principal Alosio Saukuru says the stove's cast iron components were damaged, but repairs were delayed because replacement parts are not readily available on Ovalau and had to be sourced from Viti Levu.
Saukuru says the school's Lautoka Old Scholars Association adopted the repair of the girls' hostel stove as one of its fundraising projects earlier this year.
He says after months of fundraising, the association was finally able to purchase the necessary materials and work on repairing the stove began last week.
While progress is being made at the girls' hostel, Saukuru says the boys' hostel is also in urgent need of repairs.
He says the cooking facilities at the boys' hostel are showing signs of deterioration and the association hopes to begin repairs by September if enough funds can be raised.
Saukuru says maintaining boarding facilities has become increasingly challenging because government funding is primarily allocated to teaching and learning, leaving schools to source funding for infrastructure maintenance.
Insert: Saukuru - Support St John's College July 05
He says the school has also faced additional financial pressure since the Marist Fathers, who managed St John's College for more than 120 years, withdrew from its administration in 2023, with the school now operating under the Archdiocese.
He is appealing to old scholars, members of the Catholic community and anyone with ties to the school to support its ongoing fundraising efforts to improve hostel facilities for its students.
Anyone wishing to assist or make a donation can contact Saukuru on 2029875.
