Model Towns Charitable Trust
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Mission Statement
The Model Towns Charitable Trust (MTCT) is a non-governmental organisation committed to building clean and green sustainable communities for disadvantaged families. The MTCT was formed I 2009 with the mission "to give impoverished families and opportunity to break free from the cycle of poverty and provide an improved quality of life for them and their children, by providing and managing affordable and sustainable housing with appropriate infrastructure and community development services." The project was founded by Mr. Peter Drysdale in 1985. Prior to registration of the MTCT, the project had been operating as the Fiji Rotahomes project under the Rotary Club of Lautoka.
About This Cause
In March 1985, cyclones Eric and Nigel battered the western parts of Fiji’s main island, Viti Levu. Thousands were left homeless in the Lautoka and Ba areas. Peter had just joined the Rotary Club of Lautoka and he formed the Fiji Rotahomes Project with the objective “to eliminate sub-human living conditions in west Viti Levu by providing basic cyclone-safe homes, clean water and living essentials.” The search began for families in need, covering an area of 4000 sq km. Over 18 years, 704 homes were built in the country areas. Koroipita Model Town In 2002, the focus of the project shifted to the growing number of families living as squatters or in impoverished slum conditions in the peri- urban areas surrounding Lautoka city . This led to the development of a engineered and serviced subdivision, 3km from Lautoka. It was named Koroipita, which means “Peter’s Village”. Land was provided on a 99 year lease term by the landowners of Vitogo Village. This was the start of the Koroipita development. Koroipita model town is a fully serviced subdivision with wide road access, water supply, electricity, sewerage treatment, storm water drains and a garbage collection system . Koroipita Stage one (K1) of the development was accomplished by 2008 and comprises 81 homes and 6 communal buildings including a kindy, office, shop and computer school and library. An elected Council administers the day to day affairs of the community with the assistance of a full time Town Clerk. Community Development Building homes is only the first stage- the comprehensive Community Development Programme enables Koroipita residents to improve their lives, and in some cases move on to jobs and homes in the area . The Community Development Plan aims to create a functioning and independent community. Resources from various NGOs and service based organisations are sought to provide educational opportunities for the residents. These programmes also help strengthen the self-governance structure through the Koroipita Community Council which comprises 16 elected Block Captains and other eg. youth representatives appointed by the Trustees. The residents agree to an Occupation License which obliges them to abide by the rules. The Block Captains and Community Clerk provide induction, training and encouragement for compliance. The programmes enable residents to learn life skills, income generation, financial management, self-sufficiency, and environmental conservation to become more self sufficient, and live in harmony with others. The Koroipita community has a registered Kindergarten – with two centres to cater for educational needs of Koroipita children. There are 69 children currently enrolled at the Kindy. There is a general shop, an office ,two playgrounds with modern equipment, and a sports field . In a parallel programme Rotarians from Tasmania have been upgrading local primary schools , libraries and providing desks and other items for these schools . This is to help them deliver quality education for our children. Development Partners The New Zealand Aid Programme has supported the development project since 2004. A comprehensive review of progress and standards was conducted in 2010 and NZAP decided to continue supporting the project into Stage 2 – referred to as the K2 project. Rotary International provided funds for some of the infrastructure, a truck and equipment under a Health Hunger and Humanity (3H) Grant. The European Union has also provided funding support for 14 houses built at K2. The Fiji Government, Ministry of Local Government Urban Development, Housing and Environment has provided long term support since 2003 in helping us to acquire land, pay the annual land rent (until the stages are populated) . The project will need long term core programme support bridging a modest gap between town revenues and costs such as for maintenance and some staff . There is ongoing support from Rotary Clubs in Australia and New Zealand, USA, UK and other countries, individual donors and local business houses. This usually funds “sub-projects” like playground equipment, retaining walls and smaller infrastructure improvements, the kindy and building a shop etc. The Friends of Koroipita from the tourism sector assisted with legal advice costs and some land costs. There is a very close link with the tourism sector through Rosie Tours, The Collette Foundation (USA), Rustic Pathways and so on. Volunteers The volunteers have provided massive contributions since 2003. A total of 1720 volunteers in 188 teams have served 2 week terms at Koroipita. There are also the Site Support Volunteers (SSVs) who come for tours of 6 to 10 weeks and are effectively the site managers at those times. The volunteers mostly come during the cooler months from May to November. Some have served every year for the last 12 years. It is important to check with the project team to determine if there is a need for volunteers at any time . Project Achievements 30 years HOMES…@ February 2017 Country Areas 726 Koroipita 233 Total homes built 959 K3 Add Houses- plan 50 People Housed- all areas 4070 COMMUNAL BUILDINGS K1 - 5 K2 - 2 COUNTRY OTHER Water Tanks 452 Septic Tanks 49 Kitchens 92 Bore Wells 2 Food 40 tonnes Containers 44 Clothes, Books 792 tonnes Smokeless stoves 70