Looking back at history | A house that provides full furniture for the family

The Teruka family’s house was destroyed in a fire in 1984, and three years after the tragic event, their four remaining members received the keys to their new home.

According to an article published Fiji Times On May 10, 1987, with the generosity of the Fijian people, a $20,000 concrete house was built at Naboro, on the top of a hill half a kilometer from the fire site.

On July 2, 1984, a gasoline-caused fire destroyed their house.

The disaster claimed the lives of their father, Teruka’s two-year-old son and their eldest daughter, eight-year-old Raini.

Since then, the remaining family members have been living with relatives and friends.

The Fiji Six Charity Committee initially launched a public appeal for Borita Teruka and her three daughters, asking for donations of $1000.

The charity fundraiser, initiated by The Fiji Times, received support from the public and raised another $10,168.

The article said the remaining amount was provided by insurance and credit union savings of Mr Teruka, a laboratory assistant at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital.

The family’s finances and the construction of the house are managed by public trustee Dhirendra Singh.

The house was built by Mr Rachimaia Naidu of William Plumbing in Suva.

On this five-acre hilltop Royal Leasehold plot overlooking the sea and a hundred acres of lush jungle, the six-by-nine-metre two-bedroom residence was built where the late Mr Teruka had originally planned to build a two-storey family home.

The house was fully furnished with new beds, chairs and tables.

The keys to the house were handed over by Rex Gardener, then managing director of The Fiji Times.

“In your hour of need, this country has opened its heart and soul,” he told the family. “It is an act of generosity that gives us great faith in human nature.”

“Fiji Six and the Fiji Times are delighted to make a positive contribution to your and your daughter’s future.

“While newspapers have a duty to report on the tragedies in life, they can only do so by informing people.”

Ms. Teruka is especially grateful for the opportunity to start over.

“We are very happy and grateful to the Fijian people for their help. Thank you everyone.”