Cinder Blocks and Stilts - Jay

As we traveled by bus from the "big" city of Suva, Fiji through the town of Sigatoka, to the village of Vulavutu, I noticed a commonality amongst the structured homes, schools, shops, and churches: Cinder blocks and stilts.

Most all of the buildings were built from a combination of cinder block walls and a custom cement mixture. The blocks are the typical blocks you might find anywhere. They are used for strength and insulation against the whipping winds, beating heat and pounding rain. Stacked up with the cement, they create a barrier to protect the families there within.

Often times these structures are built on short or even high stilts to get the buildings off of the ground. Keeping the homes off of the ground is vital during high tides, over flowing rivers and heavy rains. Elevation allows the water flow underneath the homes toward their inevitable path. Even the taller buildings have ben built on stilts.

Often times, though, neither of these building approaches saves homes during the major storms or cyclones. Cyclone Evan, for example destroyed many homes in Fiji. Winds knocked them down and water washed them away.