NEWS FROM OUR SISTER/TWIN CLUB ROTARY CLUB OF SAVUSAVU
URATA LOOKOUT CAFÉ In 2023, the Rotary Club of Savusavu in partnership with the mataqali Urata, whose land it is on, opened a lookout cafe above Urata Village. This project was all about economic empowerment of a rural community: up-skilling the local community, giving them a stake in tourism, environmental rehabilitation, establishing a highly attractive tourist stop on the Labasa - Savusavu road.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Prime Minister the Hon Sitiveni Rabuka, and by the US Ambassador to Fiji, Her Excellency Marie Damour. The cafe commands an iconic lookout site overlooking Savusavu Bay which had, over the years, become ghastly dumping ground for rubbish. Two and a half years ago the Rotary Club of Savusavu applied for and won a grant from the US Embassy in Suva to build this; they shared their vision across all those parameters. They subsequently raised further funds from friends and supporters including the RC Bentleigh Moorabbin Central [ we provided funds for refrigeration equipment } and below you will see acknowledgment of our contribution that is attached to the building. It is now run by members of Urata village under the guidance of Rotary, using food products from the village wherever possible.
The culmination of 3 years of a unique partnership between the Rotary Club of Savusavu, the mataqali of Urata, the US Embassy and others including the RC Bentleigh Moorabbin Central has created one of the most beautiful cafes in all of Fiji with delicious local food and stunning views of Savusavu Bay. The Labasa café is already serving 100’s of people every day.
The cafe has created jobs and opportunities for the people of Urata and each month pumps thousands of dollars into the community.
