IT was all smiles for Tara Wati of Vunivau settlement outside Labasa Town when she received building materials from a hardware company last week.
Having lived in an old house with a leaking roof for the past 25 years, Ms Wati, whose plea was highlighted in The Fiji Times two months ago, received the materials from RC Manubhai.
"I used to knock on doors and asked for help from a lot of people if they could assist me with my new home and it really took me a lot of effort," an emotional Ms Wati said.
"I am sickly and my old house usually leaks when it rains," she said.
Ms Wati said when there was continuous rain for several days she would have to wait it out with wet beddings and clothes.
"Now, I will be able to live in a good house and I thank the government, the company and Ratu Maikali Dimuri for their tremendous support in helping me to have a well-structured shelter," she said.
RC Manubhai manager northern Cathy Evening said part of the materials were donated by the company and the rest by the Commissioner Northern's office.
"We donated gravel, cement and plywood to name a few," Mrs Evening said.
"This is a joint-effort between the company and government in trying to assist the needy in society."
Assistant district officer Macuata Nanise Gucake said Ms Wati was one of the social welfare recipients in the north assisted through the Commissioner Northern's Office under the government's Poverty Alleviation Program.