In 1998 WWF South Pacific started a project with the community of Navakosobu village on Vanua Levu island in Fiji and last week I visited the village to see the project 12 years later.
The project was to revive a traditional mat weaving technique that is unique to Fiji. More specifically, to revive the material used in the weaving – Kuta reeds.
WWF South Pacific worked with the community to restore the ponds where Kuta grows which took FOUR years to complete!
The result of which is that the community of Navakosobu is now one of only four places in the world (I think) that still make Kuta mats. As I learnt last week, this has now meant that it provides the village with a very healthy income and great amount pride.
