Kaila - THE newly-built Wainiyabia kindergarten will soon put smiles on the faces of many in the community.
For them, the completion of the kindergarten is a symbol of their commitment and sacrifice to educate their young and promote early childhood education.
Located by the roadside along the Queens highway in Serua, Wainiyabia Village is home to 38 families.
Majority of the children and teens attend primary and secondary school at nearby Lomary while the tiny tots enjoyed a few lessons in a makeshift kindy.
Little ones from a settlement across the river from the village also send their children to the informal daycare centre for lessons in early childhood education.
Turaga ni koro Romulo Banuve commended the effort of the community to fundraise for the construction of the kindergarten.
"We self-funded the kindergarten especially to promote early childhood education.
"Children are able to learn the curriculum at an early age so when they start Class One, they won't have difficulties adjusting to the learning environment," he told Kaila!
"We normally have a soli day every Boxing Day. Whatever contributions come through it is directed to community projects like the kindergarten and the new community hall that is yet to be completed.
"There are two retired teachers in the village that hope to involve once the kindergarten is commissioned by the Ministry of Education.
"In the meantime, it's a big achievement for the community because we know this was built from our sweat and it's a big investment for the development of our children." The total cost of the kindergarten is estimated to be around $28,000 and was financially supported by the mataqali Nakauraki.