Tucked away to the lee of the island of Gau, the small Nadrodro Settlement may not command attention by size, but its story is one of endurance, pride, and quiet determination.
Founded more than 70 years ago by just four households branching out from Yadua Village, Nadrodro has since grown into a community of 17 households, most of them subsistence farmers and fisherfolk who continue to draw their livelihood from the land and sea.
Yet it is their newest achievement that has breathed fresh energy into this humble corner of Fiji: a cooperative store built and owned by the community itself.
For generations, groceries were never a mere stroll away. Elders remember long, tiring journeys through jungle tracks and, later, the island road to reach the nearest shops in Vadravadra Village or even farther in Lovu Village. These trips were necessary but rarely easy.
“It was challenging for our elders,” community member and Co-op Assistant Chairman Malakai Bilovesi recalled.
“But those experiences shaped us. They taught us to rely on ourselves and to work hard for our children.”
And indeed, they did. Over time, Nadrodro’s children have pursued education across Fiji and abroad, many securing stable employment. Yet despite their successes and distance, their bond to home has remained unbroken.
“No matter where our children go, Nadrodro is still here. And the daily challenges we face continue to remind us why we must keep building,” Bilovesi shared.
The idea of establishing a cooperative store was not new. Like many maritime communities in Fiji, Nadrodro had long seen how cooperative models strengthen local economies. Villagers were already active members of the Narocake Pine Cooperative, and every purchase they once made in Vadravadra or Lovu supported cooperative stores there.
Eventually, a simple but powerful question emerged: Why not build one of our own?
“It was decided that as members of Nadrodro Settlement, we would form our own cooperative and operate a store that benefits our people directly,” Bilovesi explained.
“From the very beginning, we also agreed to name and register our business as Dewala Cooperative, to honour our traditional lineage to Nakorotubu in Ra.”
True to cooperative principles, they sourced timber not from outside suppliers but from the Narocake Pine Cooperative, supporting another co-op they themselves belonged to. Only the corrugated iron roofing and electrical components were sourced from elsewhere.
“We practised one of the most basic fundamentals of a cooperative, and that is to support another cooperative,” Bilovesi said.
Today, the finished store stands as more than a place to buy goods. It is a symbol of collective effort, shared vision, and a new chapter in local self-reliance. It represents fewer long journeys, greater convenience, and a community investing meaningfully in its own future.
Since inception, an Fijian Holdings Unit Trust investment account was opened with $100 and has been growing steadily, as $50 is allocated to the trust every week. An additional $100 has been set aside for their bank account, which is currently being processed.
Weekly sales are recorded, and stock is ordered from the wholesale unit of the MV Queen Gudi of the Venu Shipping fleet, operating the Natovi–Gau–Natovi route. The co-op store operates on a strictly no-credit policy.
The villagers on the other hand are quick to acknowledge the support that helped bring the project to life. Guidance from the Department of Cooperative Business, particularly Eastern Division Cooperative Officer Ms. Vasemaca Delai, proved instrumental.
Their partnership continues, with cooperative training now being delivered by Cooperative Training Officer Ms. Alisi Rakai.
“We are now witnessing the importance of partnership between Government and our community,” Bilovesi explained.
“This training is ongoing, and it strengthens the foundation we have begun to build.”
Over three days, the training focuses on governance, financial literacy, and business management, skills essential to ensuring the cooperative thrives.
“This is very important to us. We don’t want our store to become a white elephant in our midst. To ensure it survives, this training is of paramount importance and we also welcome those who are interested from Lovu, Vadravadra and Yadua village to be part of this training.”
For Nadrodro Settlement, the cooperative store is far more than a stocked building. It is living proof that resilience, when paired with unity, can transform even the most remote communities.
A cooperative business, or co-op, is an autonomous association of individuals who collectively and democratically own and operate a business. Those who benefit from the cooperative’s products or services also own it. Instead of a few shareholders controlling the company, every co-op member has a voice and an equal share in the profits.
When a cooperative succeeds, its entire community prospers, through employment, investment opportunities, and shared growth.
In Nadrodro, that shared success has already begun.