Three year on - Budyong and Lesley Hill visit Viseisei.

On September 5th, 2014 we finally returned to Viseisei. Four years ago at this time of the year we were living in the cottage and making steady progress with the construction of the Health Centre. At that time we were just putting the finishing touches to the roof which was a very satisfying milestone. Our last visit to Fiji was in July 2011 so we had been anticipating this return trip for some time and were eager to see old friends and meet the staff who are running the daily health clinics and the Reproductive Health and Non-Communicable Diseases projects. Initially our plan had been to visit in May this year but we had to postpone, as Lesley had an operation on her shoulder in April and needed time to recover and do rehabilitation.
In late 2012 our middle son Toro visited Viseisei with his family on their way to Canada. Toro was inspired to offer to build a website for the Health Centre and this was launched in April 2013. I took on the task of being the webmaster and this has been a great way to keep my finger on the pulse of the Health Centre and keep informed about developments. So I knew names and faces from photographs but it was great to get the chance to meet people face to face. One of the biggest impressions we both got from our time at Viseisei was of the strong bond that has developed between the staff members. The common goal that they all have providing free health care as a service to the community, has clearly helped create a bond of friendship and a feeling of family. The greatest healing force that we know is love and seeing that manifesting in so many different ways was a joy to us both. This was highlighted during our visit with the passing away on September 11th of Aaji, the mother of Rajat and his sister Rajini. Aaji was 95 years old and ready to die as her body was fading. The love and support from all the health centre staff was wonderful, from singing to Aaji in her final hours, to helping in the kitchen to provide food for family and friends. We were blessed to have the opportunity to meet her and be present during her final days.
Coming back to Viseisei after three years has really brought home to us the significance of the contribution that Rajat and Swaran have made, and are continuing to make to the project. We feel that it was a great privilege and blessing to be able to contribute in the way that we did with supervising the construction of the building, but of course the Health Centre is much more than just a building. This wonderful service required a dream and a vision that came through them. It also required a substantial financial input to get established, which again largely came through them. And now the successful ongoing operation of the Health Centre requires great commitment and guidance, which they are providing in such a selfless way. The positive feedback given by the UN delegation during their recent visit in May was a confirmation of the level of this commitment.
I particularly enjoyed being involved again with tasks around the Health Centre and the house. Working with Lachman, Suku and Kalim the plumber brought back good memories of our previous visits. To be able to use some of my skills to attend to maintenance and other jobs was very satisfying, in particular getting the back-up water supply completed. Lesley and I both look forward to returning again in the not too distant future. I am confident that I can always rely on Rajat to provide me with a good list of jobs to keep me busy.