'The Village was Like a Sea' - Cyclone Winston, Koro Island // Documentary

Summary

The video script documents a relief mission to the island of Coro, Fiji, following the devastating impact of Cyclone Winston. Volunteers, after an 11-hour ferry journey, distribute donations of clothes, household items, and food across 13 communities. The script highlights the scale of destruction, the resilience of the villagers, and the rebuilding efforts. It also recounts the emotional journey of reconnecting with the community and the significance of the support received from the British Army and Rotary.

Takeaways

• 🚤 The team arrived on Coro after an 11-hour ferry crossing from Suva with a truckload of supplies.
• 📦 They carried 55 boxes filled with clothes, household items, and food rations intended for distribution across 13 communities.
• 🌀 The script recounts the experience of Cyclone Winston, highlighting the destruction and the community's resilience.
• 🏠 It mentions the tragic loss of life in Nirvana Village, where an elder's house collapsed during the cyclone.
• 📞 The team struggled to make contact with the leadership on the island for 36 hours due to no phone signal.
• 📞 A call finally came through to a working phone in Nirvana Village, allowing communication with the outside world.
• 🎥 The use of a drone provided aerial footage of the communities and their rebuilding process post-cyclone.
• 🏘️ The script describes the extensive damage to the villages, including the destruction of the Soviet Church in Namba Soviet.
• 🛣️ The team faced challenges such as a truck getting stuck on Coro Hill, which was resolved with the help of locals.
• 🏫 The script emphasizes the impact on education, with schools like Bonivas School suffering significant damage.
• 🙏 Personal stories from villagers express gratitude for the aid received and the community's determination to rebuild.
• 🌍 The script conveys a message of global support, with donations from the British Army and Rotary playing a crucial role in relief efforts.

Q & A

What was the purpose of the 11-hour ferry crossing from Suva to Coro?

The purpose was to transport 55 boxes of clothes, household items, and food rations to distribute across all 13 communities on Coro Island.

How many villages were planned to be visited during the relief distribution?

There were plans to visit 13 villages on Coro Island.

What significant event occurred in Nevanga Village during Cyclone Winston?

The first person passed away in Nevanga Village when their house collapsed during the storm.

How long did it take for the leadership team to make contact after Cyclone Winston?

It took 36 hours to make contact with the leadership team on the island after the cyclone.

What was the method of communication that finally worked to reach the leadership team?

A phone call finally went through to a single working phone in Nevanga Village.

What was the impact of Cyclone Winston on the schools in Cora?

Cyclone Winston caused significant destruction to the schools, including tearing down the vanilla kindergarten classroom at Bonivas School.

What was the role of the British Army and Rotary in the relief efforts?

The British Army and Rotary contributed donations and resources that were distributed across the villages on Coro Island.

How did the villagers of Cora respond to the destruction caused by the cyclone?

The villagers showed resilience, focusing on rebuilding and survival, and were grateful for the donations and support received.

What challenges did the team face while trying to distribute the donations?

The team faced challenges such as a struggling truck on Coro Hill, which required manual pushing and pulling to continue their journey.

What was the significance of the drone footage in the script?

The drone footage provided an aerial view of the communities, showing the scale of destruction and the progress of the rebuilding process.

What was the emotional impact of the cyclone on the volunteers and villagers?

The cyclone caused significant emotional distress, with stories of loss and devastation, but also highlighted the closeness and support between the volunteers and the community.